Family Wounded In Marathon Bombing Gives Back To Hometown
BOLTON (CBS) - It started as a way to help a family devastated by the Boston Marathon bombings, but this year that same family is playing a major role in the Bolton 5K Rally as a way to give back and say thank you. And some very vulnerable kids are going to benefit.
Bill and Mary Jo White and their adult son, Kevin were seriously injured during the bombings. "Last year at this time we were coming out of a very dark area," says Kevin.
"Everybody in our world were so rocked by that tragedy that we just wanted to do something for the White family, being so close to home," says Elizabeth Davis-Edwards, of the Bolton 5K Rally.
So a group in Bolton where the Whites live, organized a fundraising road race for the family and raised $30,000. "You can find goodness out of a bad situation and this is a great example," says Kevin White.
The race was designed as a one time thing. "But everyone in town kept asking us if we were going to do it again," says Davis-Edwards. They decided to do just that. The runners will take off again on Saturday, June 14 with a different beneficiary and with the White family participating every step of the way. "So much support and love was given from the community last year, we wanted to make sure that other people got what we received as well," says Kevin White.
Their goal is to raise $40,000 this year for the RFK School in nearby Lancaster, a school for vulnerable, at-risk kids. The money will expand a ropes course. "It's a lot of fun, but it's also a place to develop teamwork, build with kids on their self esteem, trust is a large issue for many of these kids," says David Tivnan, an administrator at the school.
"I'm glad they're keeping it going and glad our family can help out this year, too," says Kevin White.
Kevin and his mom Mary Jo are running the race. Bill White, who lost a leg in the bombings, will help out on the sidelines.
For information about the race visit: http://bolton5krally.com/
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