Want to join me in making a difference?  To honor my mother's memory I'm running every street in East Providence and raising money to benefit East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) Head Start program where she was volunteer Foster Grandparent.   Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

The backstories...

My Mom, Janet O'Grady, lived her entire life in East Providence RI, a life marked by service to others. For many years she was a waitress and cashier at the old Asquino's Restaurant, a role that gave her the flexibility to earn extra family income while raising her children.  Year's after her dad's death,  she cared for her mother who suffered from dementia.  She took an entry level position at RI Hospital on the third shift so she could care for her mom during the day.  This work schedule allowed her to do the same for my dad years later when he fell ill. She worked at RIH for 25 years and rose to the position Unit Secretary where she was admiringly known as "Ma" by her staff of nurses, residents, and attending physicians.  A stanch supporter of her hospital coworkers she helped establish a collective bargaining unit as part of the Teamster's Local 251 where she became a shop steward and union board trustee. Shortly after her retirement in 2015, Janet volunteered as Foster Grandparent in the East Bay Head Start program where she continued her life of service by assisting children in need. 

The run... My Mom passed away on April 10, 2020 after a brief non-COVID related illness.  Because of the pandemic, our family was unable to honor her with a traditional wake and funeral service.  To honor her memory as wonderful person and life long  Townie, I set out to run every one of the 808 streets in East Providence!  I call my journey RunTownieRun.

The charity... Before falling ill with dimentia, my mom volunteered at the EBCAP  Head Start program as a Foster Grandparent where she was loved by the kids and staff alike.   EBCAP Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten Early Childhood Education Programs provide high quality comprehensive early childhood education services for eligible families and children from prenatal to age five.