Locals help Boston Marathon stay strong

Training for and running a marathon can be a grueling undertaking. But knowing there is some good at the end of all that work can make the discomfort worthwhile.
Participants running this year?s Boston Marathon on behalf of more than 200 nonprofit organizations raised $28.3 million for charity, the Boston Athletic Association announced last month. The average amount raised per runner remained on pace with last year?s historic average, despite the field size dropping from 36,000 to 30,000.
Plenty of local runners were among those who contributed to the overall success this year.
The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary team was one that contributed to the massive amount of funds raised. The MEEI team of 55 runners raised more than $600,000, surpassing its goal of $550,000.
Marblehead?s Sally Reiley and Lynn?s Melissa Fulkerson ran the legendary race as part of MEEI team. It was an easy decision for both when deciding for which charity they would run.
For Fulkerson, there were obvious connections to the hospital.
?I had surgery at Mass. Eye and Ear, so I?m familiar with the hospital and their great staff and all the great work they do,” said Fulkerson. “I also have a friend who has an 11-year-old son with a genetic eye condition who is going blind, and they?ve been back and forth to Boston getting treatment at Mass. Eye and Ear.”
One of the unique things about running for MEEI is that the world-renowned institute allows the fundraisers to designate specifically how the money is allocated and used.
?I hadn?t heard that from other charities, so knowing where it was going to helps motivate you,” said Fulkerson.
Many of those who tackle Boston do so as charity runners because the daunting qualifying times are difficult to meet. Reilly, though, didn?t have to run for a charity, having qualified for a bib by just her previous time alone. But with her connection to Mass. Eye and Ear and her positive experience with the team in the past, it was an easy decision to contribute again in 2015.
?As a trustee of Mass. Eye and Ear, I?m involved with the hospital on a regular basis,” she said. “So I can appreciate what goes on there.”
Lynnfield?s Joseph Ternullo also ran for a charity that he was somewhat familiar with, joining Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital?s team. Having worked in the health-care industry for over 18 years, Ternullo knew the money he raised would go to a good cause.
?They do amazing work for people when they?re at their worst,” Ternullo said of Spaulding. “(On the team there were) people who are survivors of bombings or family members of loved ones who have had a stroke or been in an auto accident, people who show tremendous strength and courage to overcome adversity every day.”
One of the toughest parts of participating in the marathon for those running for a charity is the fundraising aspect. Not only do they have to find time to train for a marathon in their everyday lives, but they have to do the footwork to raise enough money for a bib. The amounts can differ by charity. For Mass. Eye and Ear, the minimum needed to qualify for a number was $8,000. Both Fulkerson and Reiley went well above that.
Reiley raised an impressive $34,000 in her first year, and added another $21,000 to her total with this year’s race.
“It?s not just the money raised, but the awareness it spreads,” Reiley said. “We?re so lucky to have (MEEI) in Boston. They deal with all kinds of things, not just eyes and ear.”
Fulkerson raised $11,000 in her first Boston Marathon, and gave some insight into just how much work goes into fundraising.
?It?s stressful, but thankfully, I?m a marketing and sales professional so I put the message out to a wide social network,” she said. “I also did a letter-writing campaign to local businesses and did events, like a party at Roxy?s Grilled Cheese (a restaurant in Boston) and a paint night event. I also used Crowdrise, which is a popular tool, and you can drive people to your website. It?s surprising