Organic Runner Mom

Please join me in fundraising for Team Clarke as I run 26.2 Miles at the NYC Marathon. to find out more about this fundraiser please click on the image!

I am so thrilled to announce that I will be running the New York City Marathon on November 6th with TEAM CLARKE! Originally I had no plans to run a fall marathon and the NYC marathon lottery came and went. I hadn’t even thrown my name in the hat this year. But then, my sister sent me an e-mail from the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. This fall, they would have a team of five runners running to raise money for the Clarke Schools as a part of Team Clarke.

Clarke Schools For Hearing and Speech

Here is some background info to let you know why running for Team Clarke is a cause so close to my hear. When my sister had her first child Shaw, a beautiful baby girl, we quickly found out that she could not hear. We were all surprised to learn this as my mom’s sister, my Aunt Susan is deaf however lost her hearing due to illness. The cause was not determined at first but eventually she was diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy a genetic hearing disorder in which sound enters the inner ear normally but the transmission of signals from the inner ear to the brain is impaired. Shaw now has two cochlear implants which have made it possible for her to hear. She also attended the Clarke School for preschool where she was taught listening, learning, and spoken language skills. She is an amazing kid who has grown into an independent, inquisitive, curious and imaginative kid with a great sense of humor. Now she can play the clarinet, has given an independent oral presentation about Malala Yousafzai, and will soon be the narrator in an upcoming school play amongst many other talents. Shaw’s Mom (my sister) and Dad and family are so very thankful for the  great early start in education that the Clarke School was able to give Shaw.

I jumped at the chance to run with Team CLARKE because this is something that means so much to my family. I was ecstatic to learn that I was accepted as a part of the team and will be running in the fall in honor of my niece Shaw and my Aunt Susan.

The Clarke Schools

Here is some more information about the fantastic programs the Clarke Schools:

“At Clarke, we help children who are deaf and hard of

hearing learn to listen and talk. Children served by Clarke use

advanced technologies, including cochlear implants and hearing aids, to

maximize their access to sound. We work with children and their families

from infancy through their teen years. Our teachers of the deaf, audiologists,

and speech pathologists have the background, training, and experience

to prepare children academically and socially for a world of limitless

possibilities. Clarke children listen and learn in the classroom, run and

laugh with their friends on the playground, and have lives filled with music,

sports, family, and community. Many children who come to Clarke are

ready to attend their neighborhood mainstream schools by kindergarten.”

TEAM CLARKE NYC Marathon Fundraising

TCS New York City Marathon

I hope you will please join me in fundraising for The Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. I have committed to raising $2,500 for Clarke. 100% of the donations they receive will provide direct support for the life-changing programs and services Clarke offers for children who are deaf or hard of hearing children and their families. Any amount that you can give will make a huge impact in the life of a child and their family.

Please head over to my FUNDRAISING page for TEAM CLARKE runs the NYC MARATHON (Donors can submit donations online through my Crowdrise account, there is a 5% processing fee)to make your donation or donations can be mailed (no processing fee) to Erin McKenney, Development Assistant, Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, 1 Whitman Rd., Canton, MA 02021