Marine Corps Marathon Team WHS Raises Over $30,800 for DC Animals

At this year’s Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 28, Team WHS raised over $30,800 to better serve the animals of the District of Columbia. The top fundraisers were:

Joie Neely: $4,005
Hank Webster & Liz Cavallaro: $3,077
Alicia Fremling & Mark Rohan: $2,000 (shown here)
Rosie Savio: $1,525
Jason Marquard: $1,337
Susan Grant: $1,275
Greg Fuhs: $1,216.20
Michael Sharp: $1,190
Heather Rayburn: $1,190
Sarah Christilaw: $1,060
Bill Bates: $1,050
Sara Prieto: $1,025
Michael Nydegger: $1,005
Laura Davis: $1,000
Amy Brown: $1,000
Jordan Blase: $1,000

Select essay from Team WHS:

“During my time on active duty in the US Air Force, I was diagnosed with depression and a severe case of social anxiety. I never had any pets growing up; however, my wife suggested getting a dog for companionship. This turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.

My diagnosis occurred while stationed in the Azores, Portugal. These remote islands have no shortage of homeless, neglected animals. In total, we rescued two dogs who became my two best friends.  The added responsibilities of ensuring the dogs were healthy and happy forced me out of my shell.

Before these two were a part of my family, [being in] public was very difficult for me, but they required plenty of exercise.  The larger they grew, the longer the walks needed to be. Before I knew it, I went from a quick walk down the block and back to taking them on runs. The runs gradually increased in length, and I found that I was much healthier, both physically and mentally.

My two babies both brought me from anxiety and depression to interacting with society again. They also gave me my love for running. I run to save the animals that saved me.”

- Daniel Raney, WHS Marine Corps Marathon Runner