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’s featured runner is Sam Mermelstein. Sam is running to honor the memory of his friend Mason, and he told us about Mason’s incredible impact on the world:
“I am honored to be running the Chicago Marathon as a member of the Special Children’s Charities team, in loving memory of my lifelong friend, Mason.
Mason was the kind of person you felt lucky to know. While he was a man of many talents, he was best known for his profound ability to connect with others. He possessed a huge heart, a unique gift for bringing people together, and an unwavering commitment to making sure no one ever felt left out.
One of the places Mason’s superpower shone brightest was in his dedication to the special needs community. Supporting this community wasn’t just a hobby or a task for Mason; it was something he poured his heart into. He led with kindness and patience, possessing a natural ability to make everyone he interacted with feel seen, valued, and included. It was the ultimate reflection of the selfless person he was.
Our friendship spanned more than a decade—from the hallways of middle school and Hebrew school to our Birthright Israel trip and into the start of our adult lives. Losing him has been one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced, but it has also provided me with a clear purpose: to honor the things that mattered most to him.
That is why I am so proud to run for Special Children’s Charities. This organization lives out Mason’s mission every day—uplifting, supporting, and empowering children with special needs. By taking on these 26.2 miles, I feel I am able to give back a small portion of the love Mason gave so freely to the world.
I am running the Chicago Marathon to celebrate my friend’s life, to honor his greatest passion, and to keep his superpower of connection alive.”
Thank you so much to Sam for being a part of our team! Support his effort by making a donation to his campaign today!
Read more stories from our Team SCC runners!
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.
Marathon Monday: Neil Morrison
I am excited to be able to raise money for a cause that is close to my heart and to have more of an impact helping both children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities be able to participate in athletic, enrichment, and educational programs so they can live their best lives too.
Marathon Monday: Tom Loranger
My marathon journey is important to me because I am trying to push myself and do hard things.
Marathon Monday: Sarah Hruska
I’m running so more kids like Sam get the chance to feel accepted—to be seen for who they are, not pushed aside for what they struggle with. I’m running so families don’t have to fight so hard just to find a place where their child belongs.
Marathon Monday: Talia Skollar
That’s why being part of Team Special Children’s Charities means so much to me—it’s a way to pair something I enjoy with a cause that’s personal, and to be part of something that truly makes an impact.
Marathon Monday: Maria Mergal
Having people in my life with different abilities, I’ve seen firsthand how much it matters for everyone to have the resources and space to thrive. That’s exactly what this organization provides and it’s why this one feels personal.
