Every Monday we celebrate the runners who have joined Team Special Children’s Charities for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
This incredible team is using their miles to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Chicago. We are so grateful for their dedication and generosity!
This week we’re featuring Jen Todino. Jen is a Special Education teacher and she told us about seeing the impact of SCC’s mission and how that ties in to her marathon goal:
My name is Jen and feel very lucky for the opportunity to run my sixth marathon with Special Children’s Charities! It allows me to combine some of my greatest passions: running, promoting inclusivity, and empowering children with special needs.
As a special education teacher, I’ve seen the positive impacts programs like the ones SCC sponsors has on my students. Having high quality programs that focus on physical and mental wellness for children not only supports children’s health, but also their social and emotional well being as well as academic success. What I love about SCC is it allows these types of programs to be accessible to all, regardless of differing abilities.
What makes Marathon Day so special is it represents all the core values of SCC: inclusivity, empowerment, community, inspiration and respect. Everyone deserves to experience these same feelings Marathon Day encompasses, and SCC helps to make that happen. I feel honored I get to support their mission one mile at a time!
Thank you so much to Jen for being a part of our team! Support her effort by making a donation to her campaign today!
Read more stories from our Team SCC runners!
Marathon Monday: Katie Poole
Running has given me more than just miles – it’s given me a powerful community, a way to process grief, and the power of showing up for something bigger than myself.
Marathon Monday: Laila Robateau
When children and adults with disabilities are given the chance to learn, play, and connect, it transforms not only their lives but also the lives of their families and communities.
Marathon Monday: Antonio Hernandez
Running has given me so much, and joining Team SCC felt like the perfect way to give back.
Marathon Monday: Luis Ortiz
Knowing first hand what having a special need child is, he knew he wanted to run for kids and when he saw everything SCC does he knew it was the perfect charity to run with and has been so inspired and moved by everything SCC does for the community.
Marathon Monday: Carson Haslinger
Every donation means the world to me because I know it’s going to help people like Cole stay active, connected, and part of something bigger.
Marathon Monday: Jayme Norris
It is my hope that my journey with running can help others (especially my 3 daughters) see they are able to do anything they put their minds to!
