Young people need models, not critics.

-- Coach John Wooden

When I sprint through the downtown streets of Atlanta on Friday for the 10-kilometer Peachtree Road Race, I will be sporting a bright blue shirt from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Augusta.

Kathy DeLoach made a good case for my support of local youth including:

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Augusta's mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as caring, productive citizens.

They provide field trips and special events throughout the year for the kids -- average daily attendance is 322.

Last year, the local clubs served more than 7,000 youths.

With enough inspiration for 7,000 steps, the rest of the race should be easy.

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MORE TRAVELS: Your vacation postcards keep coming.

Cathy Neal and Winnie McIlvried send a card from Oceanport, N.J., and Monmouth Park. The Bowman family sends a big card from the Natural Bridge in Virginia.

Fred and Hattie Blanchard say hello from Newcastle in the United Kingdom.

Frank and Betsy Smith , of Augusta, say they traveled by car from here to Vancouver, then took a cruise to Alaska.

E. Moore , of Waynesboro, and A. Powell, of Harlem, send a card from Delaware. They write: "Two grandmoms, two granddaughters, one son on a ferry from Lewes, Del., to Cape May, N.J. Weather is cool and breezy.

Linda C. sends a card showing the "desert" in Maine.

Richard Robbins comes through with the always challenging Idaho postcard. He wants to say "Hi" to brothers Gene and David in North Augusta.

Pat and Wayne Fuller are still traveling and send a card from Alaska this time.

Ed and Mary Boothe , of Evans, send greetings from Pennsylvania.

The Badkes -- Mike , Ann , Michael and Juliana -- are enjoying Boston.

And Joyce and Ranny Loyal , of Augusta, are visiting the Biltmore in North Carolina.

If you're traveling this summer, why not drop me a card at 725 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901? I'm still looking for cards from Indiana, Oregon and Rhode Island.

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TODAY'S JOKE: "I'm the greatest batter in the world," said the proud boy as he tossed the ball into the air and swung his bat. He missed.

Undaunted, he threw the ball up again and said, "I'm the greatest batter ever!" He missed again.

He looked at his ball and then his bat. Once more he tossed the ball up into the air. "I'm the greatest batter who ever lived!" He swung hard and missed.

"Wow!" he exclaimed. "And I'm an even better pitcher!"