Team Member Highlight: Jason Carraro

For the next few weeks, we'll be highlighting our team members as they prepare to run the Boston Marathon for the Franklin Park Coalition.

Jason Carraro is honored to be running for the Franklin Park Coalition. Jason is not a lifelong runner, but has accomplished more in a year-and-a-half than many do in a lifetime of running. "I found running about a year and half ago. I started for the purposes of losing weight and improving my health, specifically my blood pressure. Over the course of the past year I have fallen in love with the sport, improved, and learned more about running and some things about myself. "

Jason has had the opportunity to run in Franklin Park on a couple of occasions and wanted to help raise funds for a great organization that takes care of a beautiful green space. "Franklin Park is a great area that hosts many activities for inner city youth to enjoy. I enjoyed the beauty of the park the few times I have run in it and I believe it needs to be preserved so many others can enjoy it as well. It is important to keep Franklin Park a fun, safe, and beautiful place for children to enjoy."

Jason is a member of the Danvers 5k and Wicked Running Club. He has reached goals he never thought he could when he started. In 2011, Jason ran the New York City Marathon, his first, and now is excited to run in the most prestigious marathon in his hometown on April 16.

There are a couple of ways that you can support Jason. First of all, he and teammate Shari Hewson are co-hosting a Comedy Night at Prince Pizzeria/Giggles Comedy Club on Friday, February 24 from 6:30-9:30. Details are available at: Jay's online fundraising page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Park-Boston-Marathon-fundraiser/105822602872678?sk=wall.

Event Alert! Comedy Night at Prince Pizzeria on Route One to Support the Franklin Park Coalition

Join Boston Marathon Charity Team members Shari Hewson and Jason Carraro at Prince Pizzeria/Giggles Comedy Club on Friday, February 24 from 6:30-9:30 to support their fundraising goals for the Franklin Park Coalition.

Tickets are $20.00 and include unlimited pizza and the comedy show. There will also be raffles from some great, local businesses. A cash bar will also be available.

The doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8:00.

Check out the official invite on facebook for more details:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Park-Boston-Marathon-fundraiser/105822602872678?sk=wall

Team Member Highlight: Elizabeth Belcher

For the next few weeks, we'll be spotlighting our charity runners on the front page of the

FPC Marathon Charity Team blog.

Starting in alphabetical order, we're highlighting Elizabeth Belcher. Elizabeth is a social work student at Wheelock College, as well as a loving nanny for several Jamaica Plain families. Elizabeth is running the Boston Marathon for the Franklin Park Coalition especially with the hope of helping to provide healthy activities and programs for youth, in order to prevent teenage tobacco, alcohol, and substance use. "I feel very strongly that parks and recreational areas have the potential immensely enhance one’s physical, mental, and spiritual wellness."

Upon moving to Jamaica Plain in the fall of 2010, Elizabeth took up running in Franklin Park as a commitment to self-nurturing and wellness. "As soon as I moved to Jamaica Plain, I fell in love with Franklin Park. I had recently quit smoking, took time off from school, and removed myself from an unhealthy relationship and environment. Stripped of my previous vices and in the midst of significant personal growth, I was striving to find healthy outlets and habits. Franklin Park was a great asset to my continuing path of achieving inner peace."

In addition to running, her past-times include strength-training and creative expression.  A poet and self-taught pianist, Elizabeth holds a strong belief in self-empowerment through art and movement as tools for community and personal advocacy.  

To support Elizabeth's fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteamelizabeth

Get Fit! Yoga & Fitness Walk

Join the Franklin Park Coalition and the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site staff to explore the connections between inner and outer tranquility while exercising. You'll learn about renowned park designer, Frederick Law Olmsted's landscape and how his plans for the park sought to counter the stress of urban life. The group will meet at the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse at 11:00 a.m. and the program lasts until 1:00 p.m on Saturdays through February.

Indoor and outdoor dress needed and yoga mats provided. All are welcome - newcomers and experienced Amrit yoga practitioners.

This program is free but limited to 20 participants, so pre-registration is strongly suggested. Register by calling 617-396-7918 or email  rsvp@franklinparkcoalition.org

Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team Member Completes Sunsmart Ironman

Our overseas team member, Piotr Krupa, recently completed the Sunsmart Ironman in Western Australia. Needless to say, he is on track for his Boston Marathon training and is looking forward to coming to the city to meet the team in person. To learn more about the race, and to see some shots of summer in Australia, check out the Sunsmart Ironman homepage.

A marathon is only part of an Ironman challenge. The Ironman began as a challenge between a group of Navy Seals and has turned into one of the largest endurance events in the world. Officially, the Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. The "season" is capped off with the Ironman championships, which are held each year at Kona, Hawaii.

Na Zdrowie to Piotr for a job well done!

Piotr completeing the 2.4 mile swim.

You need some gorgeous views when you riding for 112 miles.

Marathon man...and then some!

Now, it's time for the Boston Marathon!

Thank You to the South End Athletic Company

Last night, members of the Franklin Park Coalition's Boston Marathon Charity Team were invited to the South End Athletic Company's Charity Mixer. The professional staff fitted the team with new running shoes, gave us some great advice on running clothing and gear, and for those of us who weren't off to Coach Toomey's track workout, treated the team to some Harpoons for hydration. 

For any runner, the shop is great--locally owned with a variety of services to the running community including video gait analysis, varied product lines, and group training runs. They are also incredibly generous to all of the charity teams and it's nice to be rewarded with a little discount when the team is working hard to raise money for Franklin Park.

Getting into the Super Bowl Spirit for Franklin Park

Here is a way you can:

1. Support one of our FPC team member's fundraising efforts
2. Make the Super Bowl a little more interesting
3. Win a little money for you!

Help support Nichole Bukowski's fundraising efforts for the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon Charity Team and enter to win money during the Superbowl all at the same time by entering a charity football square drawing.

You can email the organizer at SteveKanniard@KW.COM to buy football squares for the upcoming Pats/Giants brawl. The squares cost $10 and there will be a 100 total squares sold. The total pot will be $1000 and $400 will go to the Franklin Park Coalition and $600 will go in the payout pot ($100 1st quarter, $200 halftime, $100 3rd quarter, $200 final).

There is no skill involved in the squares. It is all luck! Once all squares are sold, the numbers will be drawn randomly to determine your potential winning numbers for the big game! The entire sheet with all numbers will be sent via email to all who have purchased squares on Saturday February 4th.