My name is Hailey and I am so very excited to be running in the 2025 Chicago Marathon with Special Children's Charities. At the age of two years old, my younger brother, Garrett, was diagnosed with Autism. Ever since his diagnosis, I made it my goal to be there and protect him as much as possible. As he grew I volunteered at his summer camps and Special Olympics events his school was a part of throughout the year. This became something I looked forward to because I loved being a part and volunteering in the Special Needs community. When I went onto high school I volunteered for a special needs baseball team and it was something that brought me so much warmness and love into my heart. 

Now my brother Garrett is 21 years old and enjoys going to special needs center in Orlando, Florida three days a week. Although, in Florida finding outlets for kids and adults with disabilities is not easy, especially after graduating high school. That is why Special Children's Charities stood out to me. I think it is so amazing that they are providing inclusion and empowerment for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicago. Their high-quality athletic, educational, and life-enriching programs inspire their participants to dream big, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals.

Since 1969, Special Children’s Charities has been the driving force behind inclusion and empowerment for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicago. 

Special Children’s Charities aims to transcend boundaries and redefine possibilities by serving as a symbol of empowerment and inclusivity within both the disability community and the City of Chicago.

The spirit of accomplishment, inclusion, and joy that are part of the marathon experience are what we strive to provide for thousands of our participants in all 77 Chicago neighborhoods. With your help, we are creating a more inclusive Chicago–one mile at a time.

If you wish to make a donation via check, please send to the address below and they will credit the donation to my fundraising page. Please make sure to include my name (or the person you would like to support) in the memo section.

Please make all checks payable to Special Children's Charities.

Mail to: 
Special Children's Charities 
2 E. 8th St., Suite 2M
Chicago, IL 60605

Again, thank you for supporting the thousands of participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago!