Last Friday, I received an email from my friend Peter Christie. It was one of those pseudo-formulaic charitable appeals that have become ever so common these days. Like an altruistic version of Mad Libs, they all begin the same way: Dear Friends and Family, On (date), I will be (running, biking, hiking, swimming, walking) in the (name of event) to support (cause).

Like so many other email appeals, Peter’s followed the form to a tee. It was splendidly unremarkable. So matter-of-fact in tone, that after just a few words of the note I filed it away in my Things-to-Read-Later folder. “Dear Friends and Family, On Saturday, August 20th, I will be running the…” Had I read the subject line, I would not have been so dismissive.

In retrospect, I should have known this was not going to be the typical fundraising appeal. Peter is an athlete and he is also understated as hell. That’s a lethal combination. For much of 2009 and 2010, Peter and I rode together in the same cycling group. Peter was consistently one of the strongest in the bunch, yet his training was sporadic and undisciplined. With three kids and a demanding job, Peter would still find time for his family and volunteering in the community.

So how was this “weekend warrior” on the bike always able to hang with the seasoned racers? When I finally got around to reading his email, I had my answer. It would seem that Peter is also a bit of a runner. His letter read:

Dear Friends and Family, On Saturday, August 20th, I will be running the Leadville 100 Trail Run to support Epiphany School. I will have 30 hours to complete the 100 mile odyssey which will take me through some of the most beautiful and challenging parts of the Colorado Rockies, at elevations that start at 9,200 and go up to 12,600 feet. To understand why I would try to tackle such a difficult ultra-marathon, you need to understand a bit more about Epiphany School…

That was all his email had to say about his little charity run. The remainder of the note was squarely focused on Boston’s Epiphany School, of which Peter is a board member. To put it in perspective, Peter hopes to run a distance that is just shy of four marathons, while climbing over 15,000 feet (the height of 12.5 Empire State Buildings) in less than 30 hours. It’s an amazing feet of athleticism and mental resolve. But I’m sure Peter would say that it’s nothing when you consider what Epiphany School has been able to accomplish for disadvantaged boys and girls in Boston.

In fact, before leaving Boston last year, I had the privilege of meeting the school’s founder and Head, John Finley, along with some of his accomplished students. I understand why Peter is doing what he’s doing. Epiphany School is an independent, tuition-free middle school for boys and girls from economically disadvantaged families. New students are admitted using a lottery system that is blind to academic ability and promotes a school community that reflects the diversity of faiths, races and cultures of the surrounding Boston neighborhoods. In each new class, 20% of seats are reserved for children who are involved with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families as a result of parental abuse or neglect. Once enrolled, students take on a 12-hour school day that includes meals, athletics and study time to support a strong academic program designed to prepare them for admission to competitive high schools. Epiphany receives almost no federal, state or local funding and instead relies on private, foundation and corporate support.

This year, I wasn’t in a position to support Peter with a donation, but I told him I would spread the word about the school and his epic undertaking, because I firmly believe in the school’s mission and have seen firsthand the difference it is making in these students’ lives.

If you want to help spread the word, please tweet this blog post or forward the link to others. Or, feel free to support Peter’s run directly here. One hundred percent of all funds donated will go directly to the School to support the 2011-2012 Annual Fund. Peter will be absorbing all expenses related to his run in Colorado, as well as any handling charges on the donation web site.

Good luck Peter! We’ll be thinking about you on August 20-21 and know you’ll cross the finish line.