I am so excited to be a member of the New York Junior League’s marathon team! I cannot be more honored to use my lifelong passion for running for an amazing cause.

Currently, I serve on the Cooking and Health Education for Families (CHEF) committee for the NYJL. Those who know me know my love for food, cooking, and health. I am a strong advocate that the health foods industry is inaccessible to many in our community and know there is not enough of the vital education on cooking, healthy grocery shopping, and preparing nourishing meals. CHEF works in East Harlem to teach young families about cooking, nutrition, shopping with deals, and prepare/store foods. NYJL not only holds cooking and health education classes, but provides the individuals we serve with On-the-Go Kits which include items from blenders to toaster ovens to utensils and cutting boards. These kits not only make it possible for CHEF to offer cooking workshops at locations without kitchens, but for those we teach to continue to use their skills at home to feed their families and communities.   I hope through fundraising I can continue to serve this group and provide the East Harlem community with greater access to a healthy lifestyle. 

I grew up in a family passionate about volunteer work and spent my nights and weekends growing up cooking in soup kitchens, running clothing drives, and throwing pizza parties at nursing homes. When I moved to New York, I knew I wanted to continue that tradition. I am eternally thankful to have found a community like the NYJL, where I get to see the real, immediate impact of our work on the people of New York City. From park cleanups, to fundraisers, to meal delivery, the NYJL’s mission of advancing female leadership for meaningful community impact has changed my life in the few short months I have been a member.

NYJL has given me the most incredible network of women to call my friends, and the work we do for the NYC community is something I am proud of every day. The personal growth I have experienced through training, education, projects, and community service with such a strong group of women has truly changed my life. It is an honor to serve my community with these women, and I hope to use the funds I raise as a member of team NYJL tallow us to expand our reach in the city, open more committees, and continue to give back to the world around us. Please consider donating!