One of my leading goals for 2025 is to leap outside my comfort zone, get stronger, and do things that scare me all while being part of something bigger than myself.
As a result of this goal, I am back proudly supporting Semper Fi & America's Fund, but this time I am putting away the boxing gloves and am lacing up my running shoes! Earlier this year, I had the amazing opportunity to support Semper Fi & America’s Fund during the eleventh annual Battle of the Barrister's Charity Boxing match where I, alongside other paralegals and attorneys at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, raised money and trained rigorously several days a week to step in the boxing ring as amateur boxers. I'm back again to support Semper Fi & America's Fund, but this time out of the boxing ring and onto the pavement as a Community Athlete for the 2025 Marine Corps Marathon Semper Fi & America's Fund Team. In order to run, I need to raise $1,000.
All my life, as a dancer, student, and performer, the concept of always striving for more is something that has motivated me to continue to grow and explore, diving headfirst into the challenging and unknown. Complacency is boring, and I’ve never been one for being bored. The concept of pushing our brains and bodies to what we believe is our fullest capacity and then realizing that we are made for so much more is absolutely fascinating. Attempting to achieve the “unachievable” and do what others won’t dare to do are driving factors in my everyday life. Strength is as much physical as it is mental: It’s in these moments of uncertainty, fear, and sheer willpower that we see the true beauty of humankind’s complexity and who we are as people.
This all being said, our armed forces are the picture of strength and bravery. Not only are they at the physical warfront but the mental battleground as well. I am not even an eighth of a fraction as brave or an iota as strong as the men and women who dedicate their life to serving our country. For this race, I want to run to support those who are far braver than me and have dedicated their lives to this idea of facing fear and being bigger than yourself. They are the very definition of what it means to surpass the threshold of mental and physical barriers and fight against all odds.
Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our Nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, we provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support. Today. Tomorrow. Together.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund is A+ rated from CharityWatch — their highest rating.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund ensures our combat wounded, critically ill, and catastrophically injured U.S. service members and military families experience the appreciation and respect of our supporters. Our warriors and their families will achieve the highest possible quality of life and independence in a loving, caring, and committed community and will not be forgotten on their road to recovery and beyond.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund manages and operates diverse, comprehensive programs in the areas of Service Member and Family Support, Transition, and Integrative Wellness through a “needs-based” approach. All grants are delivered through a one-on-one case management relationship, the result of which is life-changing and lifesaving.
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund employs a powerful holistic approach, integrating physical, mental, and emotional recovery through powerful therapies and innovative technologies, which most often leads to both healing and post-traumatic growth.
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To date, Semper Fi & America’s Fund has given $500 million in vital and ongoing assistance to over 34,000 service members, veterans, and military families.
Thank you for supporting Semper Fi & America's Fund and for helping those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom!
I hope you will support this dancing runner in her race. No donation is too small. Always remember, you are stronger than you think you are.
-Abs <3
