PPTCers Give Back

Every year, countless runners push their limits to cross a finish line and raise money for causes close to their hearts. The NYC marathon alone is on track to raise $26.2 million for charitable causes nationwide. PPTC'ers are also getting in on the action, dedicating their hard weeks of training to support meaningful organizations. Here are just a few:

Irene Camp is running both the New York City and inaugural Brooklyn marathons in support of a local organization helping our disadvantaged Brooklyn neighbors get their feet on the ground. Located in Downtown Brooklyn, The HOPE Program trains hundreds of men and women in essential job skills, helps them find jobs, and works with them to keep building their skills to maintain and grow in their careers. Irene isn’t doing this alone – she’s partnering with a colleague who is completing 2 century rides this fall. Together they will complete 252 miles for HOPE! Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/252MilesforHOPE/252milesforhope

Ed Filusch is running the NYC Marathon to raise $2,600 *on behalf of Autism Speaks! Click here or visit *http://events.autismspeaks.org/nycmarathon/filusch

Jennifer Bolstad ran the Komen Race for the Cure 5k in Central Park on 9/18 to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer. Jennifer says, “I run with a group from the Young Survival Coalition, whose mission is to improve the quality and quantity of life for the 10,000 women under 40 who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. YSC was instrumental in my recovery from breast cancer treatment when I was diagnosed at age 32.” Jen ran her best 5K since she was diagnosed, taking second place among survivors! Congratulations, Jen!! To contribute to YSC, visit www.youngsurvival.org

Kate George is running with Team in Training in honor of a close family member. “In 2009 my uncle was diagnosed with leukemia. We are a VERY close family. There was nothing I could *do except visit him in the hospital and run for TnT. I planned to run the marathon *in his honor but unfortunately he died that August, four months after we *discovered he was sick.

Before every practice, we have a mission moment and someone on the team *tells her story. I stick with TnT because although my uncle died there are a lot *of people out there sick and suffering and LLS is really helping.” Kate ran the *NYC Marathon in 2009 and the Lake Placid Half in June 2011 for Team in Training* – raising over $10,000 so far! http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nyc11/kategeorge

Nicole Importico is running her first marathon this year in support of Team for Kids! "I love the fact that they go into lower-income school districts and work with the kids on fitness and health. I see many of the kids in the TFK program running the numerous NYRR races in Central Park and Prospect Park and you see such joy on their faces when they're on the course. Visit http://www.runwithtfk.org/Member/PublicPage/6647

Ruth Gursky is running the Los Angeles Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon on *October 30 in support of ASPCA “I am excited to be participating in the inaugural Team ASPCA race and honored to be raising awareness and funds to support ASPCA's programs.” Ruth’s first fundraising effort has been a huge success! She has exceeded her goal, raising nearly $5,000. But, you can still contribute and support the ASPCA and Ruth. Visit www.teamaspca.org/participant/ruthgursky

Gary Purdy is running his first full marathon in Chicago on October 9th, raising money for BASICS International. BASICS makes a significant impact in the lives of children in Ghana, West Africa. Gary serves on the organization’s board and is excited to challenge himself for such a meaningful cause: http://www.razoo.com/story/Gp-Runs-For-Basics

Charles Olson is fundraising for the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “For the past two years, I have participated in a bicycle race called the Furnace Creek 508. This is a 508 mile bike race through Death Valley and the Mohave Desert in California. Participants in the 508 are assigned Totems (usually the name of an animal), instead of numbers. I was given the totem Brooklyn Beast and hence my link address for my donation page: www.crowdrise.com/brooklynbeast.”