In the last few days of 2011, Robin Hood is reflecting upon the many great moments this past year. Starting today, we’ll countdown to 2012 with daily posts that celebrate the hard work and dedication of the Robin Hood community to helping New Yorkers in need.
#1 - Race for Robin Hood
Is there a better analogy for fighting poverty in New York City than climbing one of the tallest mountains in the world or running 26.2 miles or hiking the entire Appalachian Trail? Like the Robin Hood Endurance Team, Team Robin Hood marathon runners and Robin Hood family member Kyle Macrae demonstrated this year, poverty may be a difficult battle but it’s one we can win.
Thank you to all those who turned out to cheer on runners at our Mile 20 block party. We had a great day listening to DJ Bonnie, and watching the inspirational marathoners. The Team Robin Hood runners not only made it through the 26.2 miles, but also raised $500,000 that will go directly to fighting poverty. There is still time to donate.
Read about our marathon success in New York Daily News.
Robin Hood cheering section helping NYC marathoners push past the 20th Mile at 135 street in the Bronx.
Meet Cecelia, a program officer and runner in the ING New York City Marathon for Team Robin Hood. Support the team here.
Robin Hood: How long have you worked at Robin Hood?
Cecelia: I’ve worked at Robin Hood since February…just shy of nine months.
RH: What is your role at Robin Hood?
Cecelia: I’m a program officer in the Jobs & Economic Security portfolio. I work with grantees that offer job placement services—these groups provide soft skills instruction, rather than training or certification, but can get people into employment faster (on average). I also work with Grameen and Accion, two of our microfinance/financial literacy grantees.
RH: How long have you been training?
Cecelia: I started training right after July 4th weekend—July 7ish.
RH: What has been the hardest part of training?
Cecelia: Not having immediate access to food when I’m famished—hunger comes on quickly and STRONG. My husband has started carrying Luna bars in his pockets “in case of emergency.” The first month of training was the worst. My body felt very fragile and as if certain muscles/tendons were on the brink of total collapse.
RH: Have you ever run a marathon before? If not, what’s the most you’ve run so far?
Cecelia: First-time marathoner. Before training, the longest I’d run was 8 miles (in high school, so not sure if that really counts).
RH: Is anyone coming to cheer you on at the race?
Cecelia: YES. My mom is flying in for the event. She’ll be at mile six and the finish line with my husband and some friends. Other friends are strategically placing themselves at miles eight and 13—and of course, the ever-important mile 20. Thanks to all who can come!
Stay in touch with Team Robin Hood on race day! Track the runners and see how your friends are doing.
For the 4th straight year, Robin Hood is hosting a Mile 20 block party for neighborhood residents and friends & families of more than 120 athletes who are running the ING New York City Marathon as part of Team Robin Hood. Watch the runners on a JumboTron and cheer on Team Robin Hood to help them finish the race!
Sunday, November 6
11:30AM - 3:00PM
Alexander Avenue between 135 and 138 Streets (6 train to 138 Street)
Featuring DJ Bonnie
Seating, t-shirts and water provided
The 2011 ING New York City Marathon goes through all five boroughs, over five bridges, and right past 10 Robin Hood-funded organizations that are fighting poverty in New York City.
Click on the map above for more details.
Three Robin Hood staffers are running in the ING New York City marathon on Sunday as part of Team Robin Hood. Meet Jessica and support Team Robin Hood.
Robin Hood: How long have you worked at Robin Hood?
Jessica: Almost one year. I joined right after last year’s marathon.
RH: What is your role at Robin Hood?
Jessica: I am part of the development team. I work in Donor Data & Analytics.
RH: How long have you been training?
Jessica: I started training in the middle of August – just about 12 weeks.
RH: Have you ever run a marathon before? If not, what’s the most you’ve run so far?
Jessica: This will be my third marathon; second in NYC!
RH: What has been the hardest part of training?
Jessica: The hardest parts were training through those hot, humid summer days; and then getting a bad cold as soon as cold weather struck, which sidelined me for about a week.
RH: Is anyone coming to cheer you on at the race?
Jessica: Yes! My husband will be out there following me along the course, a bunch of friends will be scattered throughout the five boroughs and some people who live far away will be there in spirit and tracking me online.
Joshua: Staying in the last few Friday nights.
Casie: Finding the time to train.
Greg: Getting time to do it with kids!
Lynn: Running! Committing to nothing else but running/yoga and cross training on evenings and weekends.
Kyle: Training my legs to withstand 18-mile jogs.
Christie: Finding the time and energy to run with such a heavy work load!
James: Running alone for 2.5 hours.
David: Balancing my time to fit in all my runs.
Meet first time marathon runner and Robin Hood staffer Joanna. Support the Robin Hood team!
Robin Hood: How long have you worked at Robin Hood?
Joanna: About three and a half years (I joined in April 2008)
RH: What is your role at Robin Hood?
Joanna: I’m Robin Hood’s General Counsel, which means I am Robin Hood’s in-house lawyer. I help Robin Hood manage risk while achieving its goals to eliminate poverty in New York City.
RH: How long have you been training?
Joanna: I “officially” (according to my training schedule) started training in July, but I started building up mileage and mentally psyching myself up to do this in the spring.
RH: Have you ever run a marathon before? If not, what’s the most you’ve run so far?
Joanna: This is my first marathon—or anything close to it! My longest training run was 21 miles.
RH: What has been the hardest part of training?
Joanna: Getting up before 5:30 in the morning to run, especially in recent weeks since it is still very dark outside at that time of day.
RH: Is anyone coming to cheer you on at the race?
Joanna: My husband and four-year-old daughter, plus my parents (my dad ran three NYC marathons and he is an inspiration to me) and my sister. A bunch of friends, including a group of women I went to law school with—we have brunch together the first Sunday of every month so they’ll be heading out to see me after having brunch. And I hope to see my Robin Hood colleagues out there too!
