I’m participating once again in this year’s Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 13th to raise money for The Northern Illinois Food Bank. This organization's mission is really important to me, and I’m running 26.2 miles to support our neighbors to get the food they need to thrive.  Will you support me and donate to help me reach my fundraising goal?  This year I am running to help raise $1750.  

If you can donate please also leave me a message about why you decided to donate – I’d love to hear from you! 

This year I am also running to honor my friend Sharon Kennedy, to thank her for always giving me guidance and encouragement in my past marathons.  She always challenged me to try and has mentored me and so many other runners with her infectious positivity and strength.  To Sharon, everyone was a neighbor and she was always willing to help, so this year I am also running in her memory. 

If you think of others who might be interested in making a donation, please forward this email to them or kindly share it on your social media page!  The Northern Illinois Food Bank is a great organization and 96% of the Food Bank's resources go to programs that feed neighbors in need.  That's providing the equivalent of nearly 250,000 meals a day! 

Thank you for helping me reach my goal, and for supporting Northern Illinois Food Bank. We couldn’t do it without you! Together we are Neighbors, Empowered.

Hi everyone!

My name is James Kennedy, and I am honored to be running my first Chicago Marathon with the Northern Illinois Food Bank! I have amazing memories volunteering with the food bank packaging up holiday baskets and handing out groceries during the pop-up drives. While this might not be my first marathon, this will be my first major and I am excited for the challenge and to support the great fight against hunger!

I will be dedicating this marathon to my mother Sharon, who passed away from cancer last December. She was an avid runner and my main inspiration to start running. I remember as a child running around the city with my dad to see her run in the multiple Chicago Marathons that she completed. She was the most loving and supportive person. I have never met a stronger individual that insisted on being positive through dark times. She was a friend to everyone and an inspiration to all.