My team
Why I’m Running for Vinegrass
On Sunday, August 16, 2026, I am taking on the iconic 7-mile Falmouth Road Race to raise vital funds for the Vinegrass Organization to support music education for young folks, and I’m hoping you’ll join me in supporting this amazing and important cause!
Adolescence is a time of immense change, where young people are constantly searching for their identity, a sense of belonging, and a safe way to express themselves. For many teens, music provides exactly that, a powerful anchor during some of the most turbulent years of their lives. When a teenager picks up an instrument, they aren't just learning to play notes. They are actively rewiring their brains, strengthening critical thinking, and building the executive function needed to navigate complex academic and life challenges.
"Music is a secret weapon for building future leaders."
— Albert Einstein
Beyond the cognitive benefits, music serves as a vital emotional outlet. It offers teenagers a healthy, non-verbal space to process stress, anxiety, and the overwhelming pressures of modern youth. By mastering a difficult chord progression, attending workshops, or performing a challenging piece, these young people build a deep, lasting resilience. They learn firsthand that mistakes are simply steps toward growth, developing a sense of grit and self-confidence that transfers directly into their classrooms and future careers.
As a child, I was lucky to have access to lessons and to opportunities that helped shape me while growing up, and helped propel me through science and engineering. Not every kid has that chance.
That’s why I’m running with Team Vinegrass. Your support helps ensure that young people with passion and potential aren’t limited by financial barriers. Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
Your donation to Vinegrass provides instruments, lessons and university scholarships to young people who cannot afford it, turning musical play into the vital skills children need for success in their future careers.
Every mile I run on August 16 will help a young child or young adult pursue music educatrion, but I cannot cross the finish line alone.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to my fundraising page to support youth music education.
Thank you so much for your support and generosity!
Description
Help Team Vinegrass Support Young Local Artists.
On Cape Cod and in our surrounding communities, there are young people with extraordinary musical talent, but not always the resources to pursue it. For many families, the cost of lessons, instruments, camps, and college programs often puts a dream just out of reach.
That’s why Team Vinegrass is running in this year’s Falmouth Road Race.
Vinegrass is a small but passionate local nonprofit dedicated to helping young aspiring artists find their voice through music. Through scholarships, grants, donated instruments, and support for camps and teachers, Vinegrass helps remove the financial barriers that too often stand in the way of creative potential.
Since 2013, Vinegrass has provided more than $115,000 in scholarships, grants, and instruments for students and schools, supporting real kids with real dreams right here in our community.
Behind Vinegrass is musician and educator Monica Rizzio, who knows firsthand what it feels like to love music but lack access to lessons and instruments. Her vision is simple: no young person should have to give up their passion because of money.
Every mile we run helps a local student move forward: to pick up their first instrument, to step onto a stage, to imagine a future in music. When you support a Team Vinegrass runner, you’re not just cheering on a race, you’re helping a local child achieve a dream that might not otherwise be possible.
💛 Please donate today.
Your gift directly supports young aspiring musical artists in our community. With your help, we can open doors, nurture creativity, and ensure that the next generation of artists has the opportunity to thrive.
Thank you for believing in local kids, local music, and the power of possibility.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 20 | Boiney family | Undisclosed amount |
| Jul 17 | Jack and Felicia | $28.10 |
| Jul 17 | Roberta Longley | $55.35 |
| Jul 16 | Kathy & Roger | $109.85 |
| Jul 16 | Jud Stailey | $55.35 |
| Jul 16 | Gary and Heidi Senecal | Undisclosed amount |
| Jul 16 | Mike & Martha Q | $100.00 |
| Jul 15 | Rosemary Dawson | $28.10 |
| Jul 15 | Kevin McNellis | $55.35 |
| Jul 15 | Jim & Nancy | $55.35 |
