Over the past three years, I've had the privilege to run the Boston Marathon through the Charity Program. Each time, I've run with Susan Hurley's CharityTeams, for GoKids Boston. I've been able to meet a plethora of people who have similar goals. We look to help others, inspire people to believe in themselves, and improve upon our personal goals in the process.

Since I started on this journey in December of 2008 I've run 7 marathons, 4 half marathons, and many other shorter races in an attempt to become a better runner and keep myself fit. These races and the Boston Marathon experience have inspired me, and given me the motivation to keep myself running. Some people, children especially, don't have that self motivation to do their best, to strive to become something better. GoKids Boston gives kids in the South Boston/Dorchester and other surrounding areas the chance to see their potential and strive to become what they can, specifically with respect to their health and wellness.

Each time I've entered the GoKids facility at UMASS Boston, I've seen kids working hard. They're exercising. They're talking to GoKids mentors. They're even working through homework. GoKids Boston has the opportunity to change childrens' lives, and create a better tomorrow not only for the kids, but for their families and the area. Unfortunately, some of the children aren't able to fund their own attendance at the facility's functions. This is where you can help. Please consider a donation to the UMASS Boston Foundation - GoKids Boston, on my behalf. Your donation will go a long way!

Thank you for your support.

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Facial Hair Fund Raiser for GoKids Boston

Week 1 (Dec 1-7) - George Ogin: $10 (+$5, Susan Hurley)
Week 2 (Dec 8-14) - Lisa Hetrick Corman: $15 (+$5, SH)
Week 3 (Dec 15-21) - Béa van den Heuvel and Cole Thornton: $17.50 (+$5, SH)
Week 4 (Dec 22 -28) - Kelly Buckley: $20 (+$5, SH)
Week 5 (Dec 29 - Jan 4) - Laurie Maranian: 22.50 (+$5, SH)
Week 6 (Jan 5 - 11) - Wendy Montanez-Ortize: $25 (+$5, SH)
Week 7 (Jan 12-18) - Rebecca Arner Brown and Dennis Brown: $30 (+$5, SH)
Week 8 (Jan 19-25) - Pieter Vuijk: $32.50 (+$5, SH)
Week 9 (Jan 26 - Feb 1) - Dawn Shottlandt: $35.00 (+$5, SH)
Week 10 (Feb 2-8) - Barry Foland: $37.50 (+$5, SH)
Week 11 (Feb 9-15) - Peter Madden & Ali Ersen: $40.00 (+$5, SH)
Week 12 (Feb 16-22) - Katie Passino: $45.00 (+$5, SH)
Week 13 (Feb 23-29) - Caitlin Egan: $47.50 (+$5, SH)
Week 14 (Mar 1-7) - Michelle Greene - $52.50 (to shave)
Week 15 (Mar 8-14) - Lindsey Dionne - $55.00 (to shave)
Week 16 (Mar 15-21) - Tamera McMahon - $60.00 (to shave)
Week 17 (Mar 22-28) - Tamera McMahon & Allie Buzzell - $65.00 (to shave)
Week 18 (Mar 29-Apr 4) - Erin Daly: $67.50 (to shave)
Week 19 (Apr 5-11) - Caroline D'Agostino: $70.00 (to shave)

Total Raised from "Facial Hair Fund Raiser" = $815.00

Thanks to the participants, listed above!!

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Here's a little more information about GoKids Boston, provided by the people at GoKids Boston, themselves:

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOUNDATION INC wrote -

Welcome runners, friends, and partners to the GoKids Boston Marathon Fundraising Page!

GoKids Boston embodies innovation and leadership in youth health through life-changing programs, groundbreaking research, exceptional training opportunities, and dedication to the community with a focus on eliminating health disparities.

GoKids Boston, a key strategic initiative of Chancellor Keith Motley, was founded at UMass Boston in 2006 in collaboration with Children's Hospital Boston to advance the science relating exercise to youth health and wellness and to become a local leader in combating the obesity epidemic. 

GoKids Boston's unique youth fitness, training, and research center based at the University of Massachusetts Boston's College of Nursing and Health Sciences strives to 1) reduce the impact of obesity on children, families, and communities through service research partnerships, 2) improve children's lives through fitness and supportive relationships, and 3) enlist youth and professionals as health ambassadors.  

GoKids provides low income, multi-ethnic youth with engaging physical activity and nutrition education programs aimed at preventing and treating obesity and chronic disease in our safe and supportive environment (a 5,300 square foot fitness center.)  Equally important, we provide a training center where College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty and students produce significant research.  The center exemplifies a health promotion-focused youth development program by translating current science into innovative programs and by collaborating with primary care providers, schools, and other community resources.