Above: A Southborough non-profit is again using the Boston Marathon to raise funds for autism education, research, and support. (image from NECC’s website)
[The Boston Marathon always includes a pack of runners from our town. Between now and Patriots Day, I’m featuring stories of community members donning bibs for a cause]
Southborough residents aren’t the only community members using the Boston Marathon for charitable purposes. A non-profit based in Southborough is also making the most of the big race.
The New England Center for Children (NECC) is continuing its tradition of sending a team of ten to raise funds and awareness to help those living with autism live fuller lives.
The website for the Southborough based institute promotes:
These runners come from diverse backgrounds but are united by a common purpose: to raise critical funds and awareness for autism and The New England Center for Children (NECC). Representing NECC’s mission to make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism, these runners will bring their passion, determination, and personal stories to this incredible journey of fundraising and training for the next several months as they prepare to conquer the 26.2 miles on April 21, 2025.
This year’s team includes one NECC employee:
Emily Walden has worked as a level 2 teacher in NECC’s residential program for more than two years. After running the Falmouth Road Race for Team NECC in August, Emily felt an overwhelming sense of pride in representing NECC. As a teacher, she has seen firsthand the impact that NECC has on the lives of individuals with autism and their families and is looking to give back to the organization that has supported her personal and professional growth. She couldn’t think of a better way to combine her love for running and her students than by running the Boston Marathon and raising money for NECC.
To learn more about the team (or NECC), click here. To check out the team’s fundraising page, click here.
It’s also worth reminding that the marathon isn’t the only race that NECC uses to support its work.
For those of you who aren’t up to running 26.2 miles, there is a much shorter option you can use to raise funds. (And, if you prefer, you can walk the course as slowly as you’d like.)
As I posted last week, the annual NECC 5K Walk/Run takes place in Southborough every spring. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd. Click here for those details.
[Note: If you are a Southborough resident using the Marathon to raise funds/awareness for a cause, please reach out with your information. Email mysouthborough@gmail.com.]
