Published: October 03, 2008 11:47 pm            

Indianapolis writer takes charity fight worldwide, to speak at Race Saturday

More than 100,000 people will hear Indianapolis writer and former Terre Haute resident Kevin Nowak’s poems at charity events this year.

Nowak prints two books of poems each year at his own cost or through the generous donations of corporate sponsors. Then, all the books are either sold or given to people for inspiration.

Nowak went to ISU from 1989 to 1993, graduating with a degree in marketing and business administration. He began speaking at charity events in 1993 while working as an intern for the March of Dimes in Terre Haute. Since then, he has read his poems for 16 straight years at WalkAmerica (now March for Babies) in Terre Haute. Nowak will speak at the Komen Race for a Cure on Saturday.

Each spring, Nowak produces a book to benefit the American Cancer Society. Copies of that book are given to cancer survivors throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Nowak will then speak at American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in support of the project.

Nowak’s poems were read at 365 Relay for Life events in 44 states, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand this year.

Nowak lost his grandmother to cancer in 1999, and since then he has been fighting in her honor.

In the winter, the fight shifts to the homeless. Through the generous sponsorship of J.D. Byrider, Nowak has produced books to benefit the homeless. These books are sent to homeless missions throughout the country. This year, books will be sent to 20 missions in 10 states. The remaining books are sold and all the money is given to the Wheeler Mission in downtown Indianapolis.

Nowak also will travel around to speak at various homeless missions. He plans to visit missions in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Louisville, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and San Diego. Nowak is very excited about the upcoming talks. “My wife told me before my first talk that my goal should be to reach just one person with each talk, and if I am doing that then it is worth my time.”

Nowak is a senior account executive with Technology Integration Group by day, but his spare time is focused on helping others. “My passion is to get out and fight for others, while inspiring them to fight for themselves. I am blessed to have discovered my gift in life, and fortunate enough to share it with others.”

Nowak is also interested in speaking/reading poems at interested churches within the Terre Haute community. If churches are interested, they can contact him at kevinpnowak@yahoo.com.

        

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