Long Island Runners Raise $45K For Veterans At NYC Marathon

Community Corner

Long Island Runners Raise $45K For Veterans At NYC Marathon This is the eighth year that United Way of Long Island was selected as a charity partner for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A group of Long Islanders, including two from Nassau County, raised $45,000 for veterans as in the New York City Marathon.

For the eighth year, United Way of Long Island was selected as a charity partner for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. United Way of Long Island's Team Mission United runners finished the 26.2-mile course in support of U.S. military veterans and their families on Long Island.

Among them were:

Taylor Salkowsky (Massapequa Park): Salkowsky finished the race in four hours and 12 minutes. She has always been active, playing soccer from a young age and through college. Taylor loves running because it has helped her through periods of stress and anxiety, allows her to experience new places in a fun, active way.

"As a lifelong New Yorker, I'm excited to experience the city in a whole new way through this race," Salkowsky said. "I'm incredibly honored to be running on behalf of United Way to support veterans and their families on Long Island."

Alma Rocha (Freeport, NY): Rocha, a Freeport Elementary School Principal, finished her 33rd marathon in under six and a half hours.

"The first time I ran the Long Island Half Marathon was the first time I saw veterans running with just one limb," she said. "In Mexico, where I grew up, war wasn't something I thought about often. So, when I ran the half marathon, it was real for me to see someone with a lost arm or leg. The impact that had on me to be able to come back to the world with crutches or wheelchairs takes my heart. I thought, if veterans can run this, what can I do?"

Since 2016, Team Mission United has raised more than $245,000 for veterans through runners' participation in the TCS New York City Marathon. Each Team Mission United member made a minimum fundraising commitment of $3,000 to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime race.