Hello!

As some of you may know, I am running the 2010 Boston Marathon to raise money for G-ROW Boston (Girls Row).  G-ROW is a rowing and mentorship program run out of Community Rowing, Inc (CRI) where any young woman who is part of the Boston Public School system is welcome to join the team for free.  The team is comprised of a diverse group of more than 200 girls who take part in an intensive after school program where they not only learn to row but they also study and work together. 

G-ROW places a strong emphasis on academics through a combination of group homework sessions and tutoring.  The girls are exposed to colleges through campus tours and Bottom Line, a nonprofit organization that helps urban youth to plan for and attain a college education. As a result of this focus on both a healthy lifestyle and academics, these young women have a 100% college matriculation rate, compared to the 50% Boston Public School rate.

Having rowed for close to 8 years, I’ve learned many valuable lessons from the sport but perhaps most importantly,  it has helped me develop a strong self image, build lasting relationships, and learn my limits – assets that will stand me in good stead throughout my life.  I was fortunate to attend a high school where the matriculation rate was 100% and I did not face many of the challenges that the G-ROW women do. In support of the G-ROW  program, which  provides  an environment where these young women feel safe to express themselves as well as offering  the academic skills they need to succeed, I sought this opportunity to help raise funds. 

Your donations to my run will allow this program, now 11 years old, to continue to thrive and serve these young women as they develop healthy lifestyles and are able to make empowering decisions about their futures. 

I look forward to running the marathon to honor these young women and to seeing them at mile 20 of the course!

Thank you so much for your help and support!

Patton