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: Daniela Monsalve
“Through this marathon, I hope to support SCC’s mission and help create more opportunities where no one is left behind.”
Marathon Monday: Grace Bright
I am proud to run for a mission that reminds people that everyone deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Marathon Monday: Ron Blanchard
I am proud to run for a mission that reminds people that everyone deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Marathon Monday: Bradley Aleman
My dad and I could not think of a more perfect charity to raise money for. A charity bringing health and wellness and inclusivity to children and young adults like my brother, something we strive to not take for granted every day.
Marathon Monday: Andrew Dacosta
Training for a marathon is hard. Knowing I’m running for something bigger than myself makes it worth it.
Marathon Monday: Hayley Lawson
So when I run Chicago, I’m not just running for myself. I’m running to support a mission that creates inclusion, builds confidence, and empowers people to live full, meaningful lives.
