Help John raise money

If you’d asked me a few years ago what my living room would look like, I probably wouldn’t have guessed “pop-up backpack warehouse.” Yet there I was, staring at a mountain of school supplies and 50 backpacks, wondering if my wife had started a side hustle as a school supply mogul. Spoiler: she hadn’t. She was volunteering for School on Wheels, and soon enough, our whole family was roped into packing backpacks and sorting pencils like a well-oiled (if slightly chaotic) assembly line.

That hands-on experience—seeing firsthand how something as simple as a fresh backpack can light up a kid’s face—made a big impact on me. As a dad of three and a former high school cross-country runner (emphasis on “former”), I know how important it is for kids to have the right gear and role models to help them succeed. Let’s be honest: it’s tough enough to get kids excited about school without having to worry about whether they have notebooks or a backpack that doesn’t have a broken zipper.

So, why am I running the Falmouth Road Race for SOWMA? Well, for starters, this 7-mile trek will be the longest race I’ve ever attempted—proof that my glory days of high school running are officially being dusted off for a great cause. But more importantly, I’m running because every child deserves the chance to walk into school feeling prepared, confident, and proud. School on Wheels does more than just hand out supplies—they provide tutoring, mentoring, and a sense of hope for kids impacted by homelessness and poverty.

I may not be breaking any speed records out there, but every mile I run is for the kids who need a little extra support to chase their dreams. I’m stepping (okay, maybe huffing and puffing) way outside my comfort zone because I believe in what SOWMA does—and because I want to show my own kids that making a difference sometimes means doing things that are a little bit hard, a little bit sweaty, and a whole lot meaningful.

So if you see me out there, cheer me on! And if you’re able, consider supporting my run. Together, we can help make sure every kid gets the tools—and the encouragement—they need to write their own success story.