Today, Joe (& Co.) took to the streets of San Antonio for a 5k run with a few friends…well, likely in the hundreds (thousands?)…for his Joe Jonas iWin Fun Run* , a fund-and-awareness-raising event intended to benefit the Special Olympics organization, which is Joe’s current championed cause under their Change for the Children Foundation initiatives. (*You can donate to the org at that link!)
Every time the Jonases make that extra effort to give back – whether it be on a local/global/fanbase level, loudly or quietly, formally or informally – it really is such a win for all involved – including us, as fans. I’m sure they deeply enjoy the difference they are able to make, and we fans get to feel that surge of fanpride and inspiration that hooked us on these guys in the first place.
Videos and fan reminiscences, after the jump!
When I read the first announcement about the Fun Run, I was immediately reminded of a YouTube video I saw a very long time ago, during the Marvelous Party tour, back when they used to call various audience members on stage to rock the tambourine during a song (was it “Still in Love With You”? I wish I could remember…). Sweet little girls took the stage, a grandma who reassured them she needed no earplugs because she couldn’t hear that well to begin with. But one occasion really stood out to me…a young guy with Down Syndrome was the guest that day, and he stood next to Joe and had a blast keeping time alongside him on the tiny open-air stage, to the thrill of the crowd. When the song wound down, Joe hit the final beat and opened his arms for a hug but the boy was still wound up and kept going, dancing and playing, for a few long moments. Joe seemed tickled by this upstaging, and cheered the boy on, and when he was ready, they gave each other a huge bear hug full of genuine warmth. It was sweet, and more strikingly it was a clearly heartfelt moment between the two…and that was a watershed Joe/Jonas Brothers moment for me. I wish I knew where to find that video, it would have been a great flashback for this post. But alas – I came up emptyhanded when I looked for it…it’s been a while since I thought of it.
In any case, it is a good memory, but it makes me even happier to see Joe continuing to use his unique enthusiasm and easy, open manner to bring awareness to an important organization and cause. That’s great leadership, and I hope Jonas fans truly take it to heart and appreciate the behavior (more important than the tank top) he is modeling.
Be sure to check out a whole slideshow of the run! If they ever do another, closer to us, we will be sure to go out and support.
Here’s Joe inviting everyone to come out and run with him prior to the event…
…and his quick appearance on Good Morning America this morning, talking about the event and patiently enduring a few oddball comments lobbed from the always colorful GMA team. 
Joe, like his brothers, makes it look almost too easy to be a person of kindness (and talent)…it’s tempting to take it for granted. Let’s not – they’re rare, indeed!
[Via: My San Antonio; SpecialOlympicsHQ (YouTube); elizarocks32 (YouTube)]
cpaig
mememoi
coolmom823
very rare!
So maybe I found another way to share my photographs. My DH suggested uploading them to YouTube since they are movies. The first one worked. So I will add the other 4 as soon as I can get the time.
I am not sure if the quality of the photos is as good on YouTube as it is if you download the files yourself on box.net though.
Let me know what you think if you see them both ways. I’m curious.
YouTube is much more convenient – & they look great!
I’m so proud of him!
These Jonas boys impress me everyday with their compassion and activism, Kevin Sr. and Denise must be insanely proud!
These morning show people just kill me. Can’t they ever report anything without making a joke?
At NickJOnline they posted a story which has a video of the event. Towards the end, there is a girl with downs syndrome giving Joe a gold medal and he hugs her and smiles big. So heartwarming!!
Awww, must go see, thanks for the tip!
I loved the video, thank you for mentioning it!
yes that is lovely!!!!
That video you mentioned of the boy dancing sounds awesome. I’m sad you can’t find it!
This is so awesome of Joe!
Oh my goodness. That picture = <3333333
I just had to say that.
Now I will actually read the post and watch the videos! But thanks for the picture.
Yeah, it’s a GOOD one, huh? Thank you, My San Antonio photogs!
Love that smile. He looks so young, like from his fauxhawk days.
Wow. Such a great and genuine heart. Joe doesn’t even seem fazed to be surrounded by so many fans. He’s just so happy to be there and make a difference. I totally agree about him being a great leader.
Awww! I’m having a proud fanlady moment! They are just so sweet and wonderful!
Tlatz – I said the same thing to my daughter – he looks about 15, with that huge, carefree smile!
I never saw the video you mentioned Mememoi. It sounds just awesome!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Corinne won a M&G for Sunday!!!!!!!!! I just checked the email and we’re FREAKING OUT!!!!
I can’t wait to hear all about her experience! and seee her photo!
super squeeeee Trish!! So happy for her cause she’s such a true and loyal fan!
Now she needs to pass on the SR hugs
Ahhhhh!!! That is so exciting and so karmically well-earned! Tell Corinne congratulations. Why do I feel like I wish I could send along letters of introduction and recommendation to the Boys of why they should know she’s extra special awesome? LOL
I am SOOOO thrilled for Corinne! It’s so cool when a long-time fan (and someone with SR connections,
) gets a M & G. Amazing!!!
Thank you so much everyone! We literally could not sleep last night! LOL!
When she met them in 2007 at the Verizon thing it was so rushed and we couldn’t get a real picture. She is so excited for this! More than anything she wants to personally congratulate Kevin on his engagement!
She is also making Road Dogs buttons to give them!
that’s so cool. I love my Road Dogs pin SO much!
Yay! I am so happy for her! She deserves it.
Trish, that is so wonderful about the M&G! Congrats to Corinne! Any way you can sneak in w/ her??
make sure she asks to give hugs not handshakes!
I love this post, thank you mememoi.. such a special story too.
One of our best family friends has down’s-we grew up together and he always proudly competed in the special Olympics-such a wondeful event.
It’s true that they are givers and I love how Joe chose a different cause from Nick and kind of put his own spin on it.
And he truly gives new meaning to the word fit..he has much more of a runners body than he appears to have in his straight jeans.
Such in inspiration in so many ways..it really makes you want to live a healthy and caring life
It really does…I’d like to think I always felt inclined to be healthy and caring, but there is something about having such a good example of it right in front of you that is an extra good motivator!
And you’re so right – I love that it’s something he’s obviously been into, personally, for years, and talking about (like in the Day in the Life) and it is very much contributing HIS way, much more casual than Nick’s (awesome) Capitol advocacy approach. The methods suit each boy very well.
I can’t wait to see what Kevin does for volunteerism!
oh and he has the confidence to wear pink too
Agree on the pink.
And btw: the subtle reaction that played across his face after the “two tickets to the gun show” comment was kind of priceless…or was I just projecting/imagining it?
It’s pink? i thought it was more lavenderish. LOL I thought oh that boy had to run in a lavender tank top.
Stellar post mememoi, natch.
Joe just exudes warmth and joy at being able to do this for such a great cause. So much attention is paid to his looks, and star quality that sometimes we forget that there aren’t many people with bigger hearts than Our Captain.
So proud!
Great post – I just love this. I’m so glad GMA gave this some press. It was hard to find anything on this event. I remember from the Day in the Life video that he loves to run. I can’t imagine him having the time to do it often though. Thought the “gun show” comment was kind of awkward? Anyway, this post gives me warm fuzzies!!!
Trish I just saw your news! That is WONDERFUL! I’m so happy for her- she so deserves it.
Thanks so much for this post. My heart is full of pride and joy. It’s so easy to take these boys’ for granted and it’s things like this that remind me just how lucky we are. I love the look of pure joy on his face in all of the pictures- I think he truly enjoys doing things like this but just doesn’t have the opportunity very often. And what a wonderful cause.
The GMA people crack me up. How random! But I’m glad they gave it coverage!
That’s supposed to be boys, not boys’. My bad
it makes me even happier to see Joe continuing to use his unique enthusiasm and easy, open manner to bring awareness to an important organization and cause. That’s great leadership, and I hope Jonas fans truly take it to heart and appreciate the behavior (more important than the tank top) he is modeling.
I second this. I can’t say it any better. Thank you.
If you’re interested in stupid Trace Cyrus’s interview, here’s the link. What a tool.
http://men.style.com/details/features/full?id=content_10517
I’m not going to read this “interview”. I read what Perez said (I don’t like Perez, but I must admit, I do like it when he slams this idiot). It’s too bad the Cyruses didn’t raise their kids a little better. And, I think Joe, guns and all, could easily take Trace. But of course, if you want some publicity, just say “Jonas Brother” and you got it! Meanwhile, here’s Joe, out doing good for others and this tool talking smack. I’m sure the boys got a good laugh about it.
It’s a very short “interview.” He is a complete tool. Agreed. Blech. Barf.
He is such a tool. I can’t believe this website would think people would be interested in hearing what this guy has to say.
I tried to avoid it but it’s on both People’s and E’s websites. My thought is that Joe organized a race to raise money for Special Olympics, and Nick testified before a Senate hearing (and will be speaking at the National Press Club luncheon on August 24), not to mention that the Jonas Brothers have raised over a million dollars for Juvenile Diabetes and other causes just in the last year. So what has Trace Cyrus done other than run his mouth off and have stupid stuff come out of it?
WIN.
And let’s add Kevin’s engagement to a nice-seeming, unfamous longtime girlfriend. Good grief what a PHONY, eh?
Amen amen!!!!
Ugh. He is SO disgusting! And apparently a complete jerk, too.
and tithing 10% of their extraordinary income to charity is also so darn fake isn’t it?
What fake goodheartedness and faith.
Ha ha ! why would you FAKE something that people give you such GRIEF over?!
I love the expression on Joe’s face in the top photo. You can tell he is genuinely happy and excited about participating in his iWin race. I love that boy. I love his brothers. I love his parents. I love his brother’s dog, etc.
Amen, Jan!