Today, the Extra Mile America Tour visited downtown Chicago.

Chicago is a beautiful city. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) stood all the way to the sky in the building across the street...a perfect extra mile architectural wonder and a great place to meet extra mile people from the Chicago area.

The staff of Chicago Cares was fantastic in opening its doors for interviews, and the people whom I interviewed were inspirational in so many different ways. 

1. A group of people visiting homeless children on Christmas Eve twenty years ago on a whim now expanding their reach in 30 countries (Tom Tuohy, Dreams for Kids)

2. A passionate lover of theatre taking her gift into schools to share a mind-opening awareness regarding mental health (Brighid O'Shaughnessy, Erasing the Distance)

3. A super volunteer who just wants to serve (John Jerger, Chicago Cares, Lakeview Pantry)

4. A former college athlete taking her love of her sport to women who are survivors of breast cancer (Jenn Gibbons, Recovery on Water)

5. An organization that creates paying jobs for people with developmental disabilities (Rod Gardner, The Douglas Center)

6. A compassionate woman who remembers the pain of losing a parent reaching out in a support capacity to others in the same position (Nichole Brown, Willow House)

Today, I was humbled by the people I met. After meeting people like I met today, it's easy to question one's own contribution.