Boys Town New England Family-Teacher in it for the 'Long Run'

Click here to make a donation towards Boys Town New England and support Family-Teacher John Etzell in his race for America's children.

Boys Town New England Family-Teacher and recreational runner John Etzell knew he couldn’t take the easy way out when it came to selecting a goal for his next race.

“Running a 5K would be easier,” said Etzell, “but the youth at Boys Town New England are not here for the short run. They have to persevere through a lot of new challenges.”

Inspired by Boys Town New England youth, John will embark on his greatest distance yet: 26 miles in the Amica Marathon in Newport, R.I., October 18, 2009. His goal is not only to finish the marathon, but to also engage the youth and wider community to raise $10,000 for the children served by the Boys Town New England Bazarsky Campus.

Etzell’s formula for success is strategic, yet simple. He hopes to gain at least 100 supporters and for every mile he trains, he asks donors to donate $0.10 and then $1 per mile on race day. Figuring a total of 746 miles, a donor’s average gift would only be $100, which is payable in installments over the months of Etzell’s training.

“Boys Town youth have to make a commitment each day to get up and work hard at school, on their chores, building healthy relationships and learning social skills that will enable them to make a positive impact on their communities when they go home,” said Etzell. “These changes do not happen overnight, they take time. Just as I will be training, our boys and girls are also training to become better citizens.”

Etzell and his wife, Allyson, have been serving Boys Town children and families in multiple childcare positions for the past nine years, spending five years in Omaha, Neb., and the last four years at Boys Town New England.

Click here to donate now to Boys Town New England and support John Etzell in his race for America's children.

For more information, contact Mary Alexandre, Boys Town New England Development Director, at 401-845-2250 x 230, or alexandrem@boystown.org.