22 April, 2011
Every year since 1999, members of the EMC Marathon Team have raised money for the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center and every year before the race the Respite Center sponsors a marathon kick-off barbecue, hosted by EMC, for Respite Center families and the runners, allowing the runners to meet their marathon team members and the families from the Respite Center they are raising money to support.
Held at EMC's 176 South Street location, guests began arriving at 2:45PM sharp and soon the cafeteria was filled with Respite Center staff, clients, runners and friends gathered together to prepare for the big day.
In addition to just having a good time, members of the Respite Center also took time to look bak and see how far they have come and to remember their namesake.
"Michael was the most amazing little boy I have ever met," said Respite Center Director Mary McQueeny.
Respite Center founder and Michael's mother, Sharon Lisnow, talked about the support provided by all of the runners and the importance of the Boston Marathon to the center.
"This is a really special year," said Lisnow. "We have a lot of new families and some of them don't understand what the Boston Marathon means to the Respite Center; it funds close of one-third of our budget."
According to Lisnow, all of the charity runners for the Respite Center raised a total of $570,000 last year.
"Every dime that our runners raise will go to the Respite Center Scholarship program," said Lisnow, "and that program is what we use to provide respite care, after school care and other care for families who otherwise could not support care."
The Natick Fire Department, long time Respite Center supporters, presented Lisnow with a check for $82,000.
The EMC Run as One marathon team presented their check in the amount of $125,000. Harel Kodesh, President of EMC's Cloud Infrastrucure Business and a marathon team runner, talked about the impression he had from visiting the Respite Center for the first time.
"One of the things that was really touching is the amount of selflessness that the staff and volunteers is showing," said Kodesh.
Kodesh was running his third marathon, having run a marathon in Athens for the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, and another training marathon.
The least team recognized was Team Respite. According to Lisnow, last year's Team Respite raised over $300,000 for the Scholarship fund.
"This year's team is on track and actually running about 12% ahead of that," said Lisnow.
Watch the video below to see the HCAM News report of the Respite Center Barbecue at EMC.
