Anita's 2nd Boston Marathon
Donation protected
My name is Anita Gauntlett and I am running the Boston Marathon again this year. As many of you know, my 2 sons, Joseph and James, and I were present at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Going to the marathon and standing approximately 200 yards from the finish line had been a tradition of our for years. Always such a positive day for my 2 boys to see how determination and hard work will get you accross that finish line. And, every year we went, I had dreams of one day crossing that finish line myself.
In 2013, our day quickly went from positive to negative as the unthinkable happened. Before the bombs went off, we were standing approximately 10 feet from bomb #2 all day, until we left to go eat our picnic lunch on the Boston Common. That year however did not turn out so well. We walked towards the finish line and bomb #1 went off and an absolute nightmare unfolded.
Unfortunately my younger son James was hit by schrapnel from bomb #1, however, all 3 of us suffered emotionally from this unthinkable act of terrorism. We are lucky to have made it out alive and if you had ever told me years ago that one day I would be in between 2 bombs (that were so close in proximity and timing) WITH my 2 sons, and make it out alive, I would have told you that you were absolutely crazy!
Well, we are here and we are survivors of this horrific event and I am running the Boston Marathon again. Last year's experience was nothing short of exhilerating as I ran 26.2 miles in the cold, wind, and rain to see and hear my 2 sons yelling on Boylston Street "MOM! MOM!MOM!" as I ran to hug them before I crossed that finish line. One of the proudest and most amazing accomplishments of my life. I did it! I ran that day for my sons, because they have always been, and continue to be the wind beneath my wings.
The boys and I have been surrounded by fellow survivors who continue to support us and comfort us, they remind us that we are not alone after this tragedy. We have an amazing group of people and the name of our group is Strength to Strength Boston.
This year I am running the Boston Marathon for a second time!!! It's an honor and privilege to run while raising awareness and funds for fellow Boston survivors thanks to Strength to Strength Boston. My goal is to raise $2,620 dollars as I prepare to run 26.2 miles on April 18, 2016.
Who is Strength to Strength Boston? Strength to Strength is a nonprofit organization established to support victims of terrorism around the world with long-term psychological needs through regular meetings, provision of information and advice, and raising awareness of the unmet needs of victims and their families. Strength to Strength enables victims of terrorism to share experiences and empowers them to live life to their best potential. They remain committed to each victim through their global network. The mission of Strength to Strength is to bring victims of terrorism together globally in order to share their experiences and move forward with their lives despite the trauma they have been through. Very few people understand how a single terror attack can affect so many families on such a deep level physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. They have taken it as their motto ‘survivors healing survivors’, recognizing that they are all responsible for each other and that those directly impacted by terrorism by injury or the loss of a loved one deserve no less than their very best. Anything I can do to help those impacted by the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings would be an honor. I hope that you will help in my support. Thank you in advance.
Together WE ARE BOSTON STRONG!
Strength to Strength - Bringing together victims of terrorism and their families around the world
The mission of Strength to Strength is to bring victims of terrorism together globally in order to share their experiences and move forward with their lives despite the trauma they have been through. Few understand how a single terror attack can affect so many families on such a deep level physically and mentally.
stosglobal.org
Mail checks payable to Strength to Strength to our office at:
35 West 96th Street
Suite 7C
New York, NY 10025
Make a Difference – Donate Today!
I thank you in advance for your support and as I run again this year, every step I take will get me closer to more closure to that day changed our lives forever. 4.15.13
In 2013, our day quickly went from positive to negative as the unthinkable happened. Before the bombs went off, we were standing approximately 10 feet from bomb #2 all day, until we left to go eat our picnic lunch on the Boston Common. That year however did not turn out so well. We walked towards the finish line and bomb #1 went off and an absolute nightmare unfolded.
Unfortunately my younger son James was hit by schrapnel from bomb #1, however, all 3 of us suffered emotionally from this unthinkable act of terrorism. We are lucky to have made it out alive and if you had ever told me years ago that one day I would be in between 2 bombs (that were so close in proximity and timing) WITH my 2 sons, and make it out alive, I would have told you that you were absolutely crazy!
Well, we are here and we are survivors of this horrific event and I am running the Boston Marathon again. Last year's experience was nothing short of exhilerating as I ran 26.2 miles in the cold, wind, and rain to see and hear my 2 sons yelling on Boylston Street "MOM! MOM!MOM!" as I ran to hug them before I crossed that finish line. One of the proudest and most amazing accomplishments of my life. I did it! I ran that day for my sons, because they have always been, and continue to be the wind beneath my wings.
The boys and I have been surrounded by fellow survivors who continue to support us and comfort us, they remind us that we are not alone after this tragedy. We have an amazing group of people and the name of our group is Strength to Strength Boston.
This year I am running the Boston Marathon for a second time!!! It's an honor and privilege to run while raising awareness and funds for fellow Boston survivors thanks to Strength to Strength Boston. My goal is to raise $2,620 dollars as I prepare to run 26.2 miles on April 18, 2016.
Who is Strength to Strength Boston? Strength to Strength is a nonprofit organization established to support victims of terrorism around the world with long-term psychological needs through regular meetings, provision of information and advice, and raising awareness of the unmet needs of victims and their families. Strength to Strength enables victims of terrorism to share experiences and empowers them to live life to their best potential. They remain committed to each victim through their global network. The mission of Strength to Strength is to bring victims of terrorism together globally in order to share their experiences and move forward with their lives despite the trauma they have been through. Very few people understand how a single terror attack can affect so many families on such a deep level physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. They have taken it as their motto ‘survivors healing survivors’, recognizing that they are all responsible for each other and that those directly impacted by terrorism by injury or the loss of a loved one deserve no less than their very best. Anything I can do to help those impacted by the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings would be an honor. I hope that you will help in my support. Thank you in advance.
Together WE ARE BOSTON STRONG!
Strength to Strength - Bringing together victims of terrorism and their families around the world
The mission of Strength to Strength is to bring victims of terrorism together globally in order to share their experiences and move forward with their lives despite the trauma they have been through. Few understand how a single terror attack can affect so many families on such a deep level physically and mentally.
stosglobal.org
Mail checks payable to Strength to Strength to our office at:
35 West 96th Street
Suite 7C
New York, NY 10025
Make a Difference – Donate Today!
I thank you in advance for your support and as I run again this year, every step I take will get me closer to more closure to that day changed our lives forever. 4.15.13
Organizer and beneficiary
Anita Bumann Gauntlett
Organizer
Shirley, MA
Shannon Silvestri
Beneficiary