After 15 years of “gentle persuasion” (read: relentless nagging), my mom has finally convinced me to run a half marathon! She’s been dropping hints since flip phones were a thing—and now, here I am, lacing up my sneakers for a cause that’s as close to my heart as it is to hers. My mom, Wendy, is the Director of Development at Queens Centers for Progress (QCP)—a nonprofit that’s been changing lives in our hometown of Queens since before I could tie my own shoes. She’s been there since 2010, leading incredible efforts to help children and adults with developmental disabilities live, learn, work, and thrive in the community. QCP supports more than 1,500 individuals every year, offering everything from education and job training to housing and life skills programs. It’s all about helping people achieve independence, find joy, and live life to the fullest. And if you know my mom, you know she gives 110%—every day, every event, every fundraiser (and apparently, every attempt to make me run long distances). So this January, I’ll be running in the 2026 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend as part of Team QCP’s inaugural charity team—alongside my mom (well… let’s be honest, probably a few steps ahead of her). Your donation doesn’t just help QCP—it fuels the dreams and opportunities of the amazing people they serve. Plus, it’ll make my mom very happy, which I’m pretty sure earns me bonus miles in life. Thanks for cheering me on, supporting QCP, and helping us make a real difference—one mile (and one proud mom) at a time. ??