Team Peggy D
Donation protected
My Mom was affectionately known as “Peggy D.”
This year marks 7 years since her passing in 2009, and I truly miss her every day.
Mom was hard working, fun, always had a smile. One of the big things in her life was her commitment to fitness and exercise.
As a lifetime member of Jazzercise & Weight Watchers, Mom would exercise 3-5 times a week, right up until her last days. Don’t get me wrong, she certainly appreciated an occasional bowl of ice cream or just eating peanut butter right out of the jar, but she knew the big picture and the importance of exercising and eating healthy.
For me personally, my weight has been a life long struggle, and as you would imagine, it was a regular topic of our conversations together. Like every parent, my Mom wanted health and happiness for me. If you’ve known me over the last 25 years, you would know, I was definitely very happy in life.
In January of 2014, after 25 years of “fun”, I finally took responsibility for my health, and began a new journey. I’ve always been happy, but now I can say I’m healthy too. Losing weight is never easy, and I’m constantly looking for new and more challenging ways to work out. Last summer, I started running in 5k’s, with the goal of beating a specific time. I ran in 6 different run/walks last year, beating my time (even if only by seconds) for each event, raising money and supporting local charities along the way.
With the 7 year anniversary fast approaching for Mom, I was thinking about what I could do to honor her memory. And then I got an email for the first 5k I ever did last year, the Sparta Rev It Up Run, benefitting the Sparta PAL. The email said the event was on April 23rd. April 23rd?! That is the 7th anniversary of Mom’s passing. I KNOW I HAVE TO RUN IN THIS EVENT, and do better than last year. Challenge accepted! But is that enough to honor my Mom? No.
I was re-reading Mom’s obituary, hoping that an idea would miraculously appear. It did!
So this year, here is the challenge I set for myself : Race in 7 events this year, hopefully bettering my time in each AND raise money for a local organization. Mom was a very active volunteer, and truly believed in the power of giving back to the community. But what charity in Morris County embodied Mom’s spirit of neighbors helping neighbors? And then it hit me, The Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County.
The Interfaith Food Pantry is committed to ending hunger and supporting self-sufficiency to Morris County families in need. I’ve had the privilege to know several volunteers there, and have seen their efforts first hand. They truly do great work.
So here I am, asking those who read this, will you please help me honor my Mom, and the newly formed “Team Peggy D” by donating to the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry? Every dollar counts and gives hope to families in need. I promise, Irish Eyes will be smiling down on you for your donation. With every race I run, I’m getting healthier, and helping others in my community. Just like Peggy D.
Thank you.
This year marks 7 years since her passing in 2009, and I truly miss her every day.
Mom was hard working, fun, always had a smile. One of the big things in her life was her commitment to fitness and exercise.
As a lifetime member of Jazzercise & Weight Watchers, Mom would exercise 3-5 times a week, right up until her last days. Don’t get me wrong, she certainly appreciated an occasional bowl of ice cream or just eating peanut butter right out of the jar, but she knew the big picture and the importance of exercising and eating healthy.
For me personally, my weight has been a life long struggle, and as you would imagine, it was a regular topic of our conversations together. Like every parent, my Mom wanted health and happiness for me. If you’ve known me over the last 25 years, you would know, I was definitely very happy in life.
In January of 2014, after 25 years of “fun”, I finally took responsibility for my health, and began a new journey. I’ve always been happy, but now I can say I’m healthy too. Losing weight is never easy, and I’m constantly looking for new and more challenging ways to work out. Last summer, I started running in 5k’s, with the goal of beating a specific time. I ran in 6 different run/walks last year, beating my time (even if only by seconds) for each event, raising money and supporting local charities along the way.
With the 7 year anniversary fast approaching for Mom, I was thinking about what I could do to honor her memory. And then I got an email for the first 5k I ever did last year, the Sparta Rev It Up Run, benefitting the Sparta PAL. The email said the event was on April 23rd. April 23rd?! That is the 7th anniversary of Mom’s passing. I KNOW I HAVE TO RUN IN THIS EVENT, and do better than last year. Challenge accepted! But is that enough to honor my Mom? No.
I was re-reading Mom’s obituary, hoping that an idea would miraculously appear. It did!
So this year, here is the challenge I set for myself : Race in 7 events this year, hopefully bettering my time in each AND raise money for a local organization. Mom was a very active volunteer, and truly believed in the power of giving back to the community. But what charity in Morris County embodied Mom’s spirit of neighbors helping neighbors? And then it hit me, The Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County.
The Interfaith Food Pantry is committed to ending hunger and supporting self-sufficiency to Morris County families in need. I’ve had the privilege to know several volunteers there, and have seen their efforts first hand. They truly do great work.
So here I am, asking those who read this, will you please help me honor my Mom, and the newly formed “Team Peggy D” by donating to the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry? Every dollar counts and gives hope to families in need. I promise, Irish Eyes will be smiling down on you for your donation. With every race I run, I’m getting healthier, and helping others in my community. Just like Peggy D.
Thank you.
Organizer
Tricia Maguire
Organizer
Kenvil, NJ
