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James Harder
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Goodwills Boston Marathon Team Raises Funds for Youth Initiative Largest Running for Great Kids team in Goodwills 10-year marathon history aims to raise $70,000 for underserved youth
BOSTON (April 2, 2014) Running for Great Kids the Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries Boston Marathon team will embrace its 10th anniversary and hit the race course on April 21 with its largest team to date. Comprised of 23 runners, the team has raised $65,000 toward its goal of $70,000 for Goodwills Youth Initiative, which serves youth in Bostons disadvantaged neighborhoods. While the team is running for the Youth Initiative, they are also inspired by the sense of unity in Boston following the 2013 marathon. The events of 2013 inspired me not only to run, but also to find a way to give back to Boston, said Lauren Berger, an enthusiastic young member of Running for Great Kids who is running her first ever marathon. I am running for Goodwills Youth Initiative program. This program does amazing work with high school students in the most vulnerable neighborhoods of Boston, said Angela Orangio, a member of Running for Great Kids. I cant think of a better way to honor the spirit of Boston, the spirit of the bombing survivors, and the spirit of the Boston Marathon, than to help our at-risk young people begin their adult life constructively. To learn more about Lauren, Angela, and the other members of the Running for Great Kids team, visit www.goodwillmass.org/marathon. Goodwill runners individual fundraising pages are also easily accessible at www.firstgiving.com/runningforgreatkids/2014. About Goodwills Running for Great Kids Boston Marathon Team Now in its 10th year, Running for Great Kids is Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries Boston Marathon team. It is vital to the success of Goodwills Youth Initiative. The Youth Initiative is designed to raise aspirations and enhance the skills and opportunities of young people living in underserved Boston communities, especially Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. This program applies Goodwills mission of helping individuals overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency

to the youngest participants in the community through an after school program, mentoring partnership, and opportunities for summer jobs or summer camp. Intended to provide students a bridge between school and adulthood, the program emphasizes academic achievement, community service, and leadership development. Over the teams 10-year history, it has raised more than $600,000 to support the Youth Initiative. ###