NEW TOWN Mark Fox swims to raise money for youth on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
On Saturday, Fox, of Parshall, who is director of the Red Sage Organization, again plans to swim across Lake Sakakawea. This time it will also be to kick off a new project for the organization that it's "NVR2L8," which stands for never too late.
The NVR2L8 initiative is to encourage people it's never too late for parenting, more education, a healthy lifestyle and anything else so people will feel better about themselves and be inspired to move themselves forward, Fox said.
"It's never too late to turn your life around," he said. He said the message is for people of all ages.
One of Fox's examples for the never too late message, is his uncle who went back to college at age 56. "He graduated from Minot State," he said.
Fox is a good example of it's never too late. Inspired by his mother to get himself in better physical shape, Fox began swimming and eating better. He did his first benefit swim in 2006. Now 47, Fox said a hard part now is getting his body into shape before the benefit swim.
On Saturday, Fox plans to begin his swim in the area of the Four Bears Bridge west of New Town at about 8 a.m. He plans to finish his swim around noon. Last year, he swam seven miles and this year he hopes to do eight miles.
The majority of the thousands of dollars that Fox has raised in past swims has gone to help with youth-related activities on the Fort Berthold Reservation. In the past benefit swims, he has raised about $20,000 or more, including about $10,000 last year.
Money raised last year went to various needs, including helping the New Town swimming pool, a Christian youth rally, Boys and Girls Clubs in Parshall and Twin Buttes and the Smokey Myrick Running Club.
The distribution of money raised in this year's swim will be announced in October at an appreciation event.
The goal for Red Sage this year is to formally set up an office for the organization and a Web site, Fox said. In several weeks, Red Sage also plans to have T-shirts emblazoned with "NVR2L8" to promote the project. Fox said they also plan to have signs with the slogan on it to help promote the project.
For more information about Red Sage or to make a contribution contact: Red Sage, c/o Mark Fox, 107-1st St. NE, Parshall, ND 58770. The Red Sage phone number is 862-2425.
Red Sage obtained its nonprofit status in April and all contributions are tax deductible, Fox said.
