RAISING OVER $44,000 FOR LONG ISLAND VETERANS
The TCS New York City Marathon represents the best of New York—when all New Yorkers come together to support each other and cheer on their neighbors. For the eighth year, United Way of Long Island was selected as a charity partner for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United runners finished the 26.2- mile course, raising over $44,000 in support of U.S. military veterans and their families on Long Island. Every runner has their own unique story for why they run.
Daniel (Bay Shore, NY) Daniel finished his marathon first among the Mission United Team runners in three hours and 13 minutes. After graduating college in spring 2020 and not wanting to sit at home, he found long-distance running to be running to be both rewarding and therapeutic. As he began his work as an investment professional, running became a fantastic source of stress release as well as vector for personal growth outside of work. “I am running with Team Mission United to raise awareness and funds for veterans as a way to say thank you for their service and sacrifice,” Daniel said.
Alex (Huntington, NY) Alex, of Borg Insurance Agency and Associates. and a returning Team Mission United runner, completed the New York City marathon in under three hours and 14 minutes. He has always been an endurance athlete and now focuses on long races. Alex is a proud long time board member of many civic associations and non-profit service organizations. “I run to celebrate the discipline our veterans and active-duty military have each and every day they serve our nation,” said Alex. “I want to instill that same focus and dedication in my 3 children.”
Andrew (East Northport, NY) Andrew, a former high school and college runner and Team Mission United runner, completed the race in three hours and 27 minutes. He is a National Grid engineer and a Naval Reservist, originally from Colorado, who joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy here on Long Island, where he met his wife and built a family. “I am running not just for my own goals, but more importantly for something much larger than myself,” Andrew said. “Adjusting back to civilian life from military life and continuing to provide for their families can be difficult, so veterans should have the best support possible. I wanted to take this opportunity to help contribute and build awareness for the Mission United cause.”
Patrick (New York, NY) Patrick timed in at three hours and 39 minutes for his first full marathon. He finds running to be a great way to challenge himself, stay active, and meet new people. “United Way is a great cause AND there are so many veterans and active service members in my life I would like to honor,” said Patrick. “Running a marathon will represent a significant personal accomplishment for me and those I'm honoring, that I can look back on and be proud of.”
Taylor (Massapequa Park, NY) Taylor finished the race in four hours and 12 minutes. Taylor has always been an active person, playing soccer through college from a young age. Taylor loves running because it has helped her through periods of stress and anxiety, allows her to experience new places in a fun, active way, and is something that she enjoys doing with friends. She had been looking forward to running the New York City marathon because marathon day has so much positive energy coming from the runners and the spectators. “As a life-long New Yorker, I’m excited to experience the city in a whole new way through this race,” said Taylor. “I’m incredibly honored to be running on behalf of United Way to support veterans and their families on Long Island.”
Abby (New York, NY) Abby crossed the finish line in less than four hours and 20 minutes. When she was 10, she ran her first 5k with him and won the “13 and under” category. She became more serious about running during her freshman year of college and has run four half marathons and one full marathon since. Running has been life changing for Abby because she found something that allows her to overcome mental health struggles and the voice in her head telling her “you can’t do it.” “I want to show people that your only limit is your mind. If you work at something and believe you can accomplish it, you will be surprised at how much you can do,” said Abby. “I’m excited to give back to our veterans and their families while achieving a bucket list item.”
Joseph (Bay Shore, NY) Joseph, assistant vice president of Suffolk Transportation Service Inc., also crossed the finish line in less than four hours and 20 minutes. He ran cross country in high school and after a brief hiatus, in his senior year of college he met a girl, and he rediscovered his love for long distance running. he was grateful for the amazing opportunity to run with his girlfriend, Abby, in the New York City marathon. Joseph said, “You never know where life will take you, so I say yes to new opportunities, continue to challenge myself mentally and physically, and I never turn down an opportunity to support a great cause.”
Liam (West Babylon, NY) Liam, a returning Team Mission United runner, crossed the finish line of his second marathon in four hours and 24 minutes. He started running during COVID-19 to stay in shape and began challenging himself to run long distance runs and was inspired by his mother who also ran marathons. It meant a lot to Liam to run for veterans. “My mom volunteers at the Harry Chapin Long Island Cares Food Bank on Tuesdays, and Tuesdays are dedicated to all veterans,” said Liam “My grandpa had served in the army, serving as another inspiration for me to run and happily contribute to United Way’s Mission United and allowing me to push myself to accomplish what I thought I never could.”
Samantha (Sound Beach, NY) Samantha, an attorney at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., completed her first marathon in five and a half hours. She grew up playing sports and played lacrosse through college, but 10 years after college, she decided to get back into running and signed up for her first half marathon last year. She had never run long distance before, but she wanted to challenge herself and see if she could do it. She finished the race and felt so accomplished. She decided she was going to keep going. Samantha said, “It’s about proving to myself that I can do hard things, and I am proud to run the marathon with United Way of Long Island‘s Team Mission United.”
Thomas (Islandia, NY) Thomas, a United States Marine Corps Reserve veteran, completed his first marathon in under six hours. After the marines, Thomas was a Correction Officer in New York and now, he’s a History Teacher. Fitness was always important to him, especially since changing careers. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and support from his wife helped make this transition smooth. Through a United Way of Long Island community partner, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, and the work they do there with veteran and first responder programs, he was asked to run for Team Mission United in the marathon. “I was honored to take up the cause. I believe we need to live a full life,” said Thomas “I know Marines that didn’t make it home...For those that can’t, we must.”
Yocasta (West Babylon, NY) Yocasta, a Union Organizer at local 338 RWDSU, completed her first marathon in six hours and 15 minutes. Yocasta comes from a military family, and her brother is a Marine Corp's veteran, so she always had a passion for making a change in the lives of those that once put their lives at risk to protect others. She used to train together with her brother for boot camp so when the opportunity to run for veterans arose, she immediately jumped. Yocasta said, “Whether a mile or a marathon, you get there the same way...one step at a time. Such is life!”
Alma (Freeport, NY) Alma, a Freeport Elementary School Principal, finished her 33rd marathon in under six and a half hours. "The first time I ran the Long Island Half Marathon was the first time I saw veterans running with just one limb,” Alma said. “In Mexico where I grew up, war wasn’t something I thought about often. So, when I ran the half marathon, it was real for me to see someone with a lost arm or leg. The impact that had on me to be able to come back to the world with crutches or wheelchairs takes my heart. I thought, if veterans can run this, what can I do?" Alma ran “not for recognition but to contribute to United Way’s Mission United."
Kate (Setauket, NY) Kate, a Presbyterian minister and mother of 3 teenagers, completed the marathon in under seven hours. She had run off and on throughout her life, including one previous marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., in 2000. As a slow and steady runner her goal was finishing. Kate said, “I turn 50 this year and decided another marathon would be meaningful, and I’m incredibly honored to be running to support services for veterans on Long Island as part of Team Mission United.”
Since 2016, Team Mission United has raised more than $245,000 for veterans through runners’ participation in the TCS New York City Marathon. To participate in this once-in-a-lifetime race, each Team Mission United member made a minimum fundraising commitment of $3,000.
“We couldn’t be prouder of all the work our runners have put in throughout these past twelve months,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “Our veterans across Long Island are collectively grateful for Team Mission United’s support to live healthy and productive lives and build brighter futures.”
Thank you Team Mission United, Premier Veteran Supporter Sands New York, and all our sponsors for helping United Way of Long Island connect veterans and their families to local services and resources that provide the support they deserve. If you’re looking to join Team Mission United in 2025, visit www.unitedwayli.org/TMURaceApplication.
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