I started running just a couple of years ago, and in a relatively short time it has become one of the most important parts of my life.
Running has taught me the power of setting goals, staying disciplined, and pushing through discomfort. I love how it challenges both my body and mind, and how progress comes from showing up consistently. It’s also helped me motivate my family and friends to move their bodies, set goals of their own, and experience what it feels like to commit to something difficult.
What I love most about running is the community. On race day, thousands of us are out there together—different backgrounds, different paces, different stories—but all fighting the same distance. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply trying to finish, the effort is shared. That spirit of unity, perseverance, and support is what makes running so special to me.
It has always been a dream of mine to combine my love for running with raising funds for a meaningful cause. That’s why I’m proud to be running the Chicago Marathon in support of Special Children’s Charities.
Why Special Children’s Charities
Since 1969, Special Children’s Charities has worked to create inclusive opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicago.
Your donation directly helps fund programs that provide real, hands-on experiences for participants, including inclusive sports and athletic training, arts and music enrichment, recreational outings, and life-skills and transition programs for young adults. These programs help build confidence, foster independence, encourage social connection, and create moments of accomplishment and joy.
Special Children’s Charities serves participants across all 77 Chicago neighborhoods and provides these programs at no cost to families—meaning your support goes directly toward removing barriers and making inclusion possible.
How You Can Help
You can donate directly on this page by clicking “Donate Now”. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps make these programs possible.
If you prefer to donate by check, please send it to the address below and it will be credited to my fundraising page. Be sure to include my name 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
Thank you so much for supporting my journey to the Chicago Marathon and for supporting the thousands of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Chicago.