On October 3, in conjunction with the Marathon ROCKS team celebrating its longest training run before racing in the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25, Easton ROCKS After School directors Susan Langfitt, Lisa Ruffini, and Amy Eutsey presented YMCA CEO Robbie Gill with a $25,000 check toward the capital campaign for the Y’s Teen and Family Center. During the 6-month training season, 43 runners each raised a minimum of $1,000 for the center and for the continuance of youth development and enrichment programs during its construction. “Because ROCKS has recently partnered with the Y to provide programs to Talbot middle- and high-schoolers, we set out this year to do our part to help raise money through the marathon program for the building where our programs will be taking place.” says Eutsey, who co-coaches the marathon team with Lea Ann Robinson.
The YMCA Teen and Family Center will be furnished with two climbing walls, a media center/computer lab, cooking classroom, music studio, and ample space for a variety of teen programs and events. This same facility will also be a hub for adult programming in the mornings and for meeting other key member and community needs. “The YMCA is committed to serving the kids in our community, and we are excited about collaborating with Easton ROCKS not only to provide programs and activities that kids are passionate about, but also to help them develop into responsible and caring adults,” says Gill, “We are grateful to all the runners for this gift.”
Since 2007, Marathon ROCKS has trained more than 80 adult runners (plus 2 teenagers) to complete a marathon (26.2 miles) or half marathon (13.1), who in turn have raised over $100,000 for local youth. The program is open to beginning as well as experienced runners and is noncompetitive and fully supportive. The 2009 team is sponsored by MidShoreLife.com, ShopMGI, Shore Pediatrics, and the Greene Turtle.
Easton ROCKS is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) youth development organization dedicated to providing fun and engaging out-of-school activities that help adolescent youth learn to make good choices as they grow into adulthood. Our enrichment and recreational offerings are open to all Talbot County, MD, middle- and high-school-age youth, giving them access to opportunities that might not otherwise be available to them.
Marine Corps Marathon Team:
Pam Andrews, Ben Bradner, Faith Butler, Marty Cassell, Marian Gallagher, Julie Hanes, Pam Harris, Mary Ann Henker, Tom Hogan, Pam Hutchinson, John Jennings, Manning Lee, Carol Moore, Lee Newcomb, Karen Newton, Heather Pickens, Tracey Smith, Laura Swann, Talley Tondin, Maggie Trice, Maggie Vogelsang, Diane Wallace, Karen Waters
Special Thanks:
Indra Bullock, Laura Divjak, Ron Vener, Joan Vogelsang, and Lisa Westphal
