Marie Walshe-Kelleher volunteers every Monday evening to deliver food to New York City and is challenging herself further this year to participate in the Yonkers Marathon to raise funds and awareness for the Aisling Center.
Marie is part of the Irish Volunteers for the Homeless Program, coordinated at the Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers, New York and has made this commitment to help those in need.
Marie grew up in County West Meath, Ireland and moved to the US nearly thirty years ago. Currently living in Hartsdale, New York, she signed up to participate with Team Aisling early this year when she heard about the team. She always wanted to run a Half Marathon and thought what better place to run for while raising awareness than for the Aisling Center. The team was formed in January to put a group of interested runners together to train together, support one another and support a local community center. Now with nearly 200 runners participating in the 5K, Half and Full Marathon, the team has become a family. Sharing runs, walks, stories and inspiration to help each other get over the finish line on Sunday October 21st.
When asked what inspired Marie to take on a Half Marathon, Marie stated “my mom, she had done a ½ marathon in her late 50’s, if she could do it, so could I. She never shy’s from a challenge so it helped me take on the running challenge.” The funds Marie is able to raise will help the Aisling Center’s weekly Homeless Feeding Program. Every Monday afternoon volunteers make over 800 sandwiches, beverages & soup and in the evening they are delivered to the streets New York City, directly feeding those in need.
Aisling Irish Community Center provides resources and a community respite to the Bronx, Yonkers, Queens and the entire tristate area. Over the years, the role of the Center has evolved into a fully-fledged social services organization catering not only to the Irish and Irish-American population, but also to the community at large. Aisling Center is one of the largest Irish immigrant resource centers in the tristate area and the main provider of services for communities of Yonkers and Woodlawn.
The center provides an Irish arts and culture program including classes in Irish language, music and dance; assistance with employment & accommodation; services for Senior Citizens; various classes for adults and children and free mental health programs and counseling. Our educational, cultural and welfare programs/services benefit over 900 people each week. The Irish Volunteers for the Homeless program is a weekly feeding program, delivering food to the homeless at numerous locations throughout New York City. Volunteers are welcome to join the group at any time. For more information; 914-237-5121, www.aislingcenter.org
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