“Sometimes the longest journeys begin with a simple act of friendship and lead us right back to where we started. Every mile I run is for connection, companionship, and the belief that no one should age alone.”
Why I'm Running the Boston Marathon for FriendshipWorks!
Years ago, I volunteered with FriendshipWorks with my beloved dog, Dexter, at the Ellis Memorial Adult Day Center in the South End via the FriendshipWorks PetPal program. That experience deeply connected me to my neighborhood and showed me the power of simple companionship and connection
While volunteering, I became close with the clients and staff at Ellis Memorial. One of the nurses became ill with leukemia. Raising money in her honor led me to my first triathlon, which grew into a 15-year passion. That journey brought lifelong friendships, strengthened me physically and mentally, and taught me that I could do very hard things.
Running the Boston Marathon for FriendshipWorks feels like a full-circle moment. I am honored to give back to an organization that gave so much to me and that builds meaningful connections and combats elder isolation every day. Thank you for supporting me and this incredible work.
I'm raising money for FriendshipWorks!
Here’s how you can help:
Donate: Every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.
Spread the word:Share my page with friends, family, and your network to help me reach my goal.
If you’d like to avoid online processing fees, you’re welcome to donate by check. Please make checks payable to FriendshipWorks Inc, and note “Boston Marathon — Jennifer Ashburn” in the memo.
Checks can be mailed to:
FriendshipWorks Inc
105 Chauncy St, 8th floor
Boston, MA 02111
You can also avoid fees by visiting fw4elders.org/donate, and select BANKACCOUNT option at the Select a Payment Method section as you check out.
Be sure to select the In Honor of field at the "Dedication" prompt, & write in Runner Jennifer Ashburn as the Honoree.
About FriendshipWorks
FriendshipWorks’ mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance the quality of life, and preserve the dignity of older adults in Greater Boston. FriendshipWorks has more than four decades of experience recruiting, training, and placing volunteers to provide support and assistance to elders. Their programming includes Friendly Visting, MusicWorks, PetPals, and Medical Escorts. They believe people, pets, and music are inherent to the human soul and provide support for isolated older adults throughout all of Boston, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, and Cambridge.