Hi, all!
I’m Kelly, a Speech-Language Pathologist and a passionate advocate for children with disabilities. Every day, I have the privilege of helping children with intellectual and developmental challenges find their voices—and their place in the world. This year, I’m taking that passion beyond the therapy room and onto the streets of Chicago as I run the 2025 Chicago Marathon to raise funds for Special Children’s Charities.
Since 1969, Special Children’s Charities has been the driving force behind inclusion and empowerment for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across all 77 neighborhoods of Chicago. Their mission deeply aligns with mine: to help every individual transcend boundaries and redefine what's possible.
The same spirit of inclusion, joy, and accomplishment that fuels the marathon is what Special Children’s Charities brings to the disability community every day. By supporting my run, you’re helping to build a more inclusive Chicago—one mile at a time.
Your donation directly supports programs that provide:
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Year-round athletic and recreational activities
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Therapeutic and developmental support
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Empowerment through skill-building, connection, and celebration
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Opportunities for people with disabilities to be seen, valued, and included
Whether it’s one dollar or one cheer along the route, your support helps amplify the voices of those who too often go unheard. Your help means so much! Any contribution is greatly appreciated!
Let’s run toward a future where every child is included, celebrated, and given the tools to thrive!
Thank you so much!
Kelly Turner
Speech-Language Pathologist & 2025 Chicago Marathon Runner
If you wish to make a donation, you can do so via the "Donate Now" link on this fundraising page. 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!