Trailblazer: Missy Sullivan
11/30/2023 by Beth Starkin
Missy Sullivan has always dreamed of running the Boston Marathon. She had planned to run in 2020 but could only join in virtually after the marathon was canceled due to COVID 19. So, when the opportunity came up last year to run the New York Marathon in support of Hole in the Wall, she hesitated. She thought she might want to hold out to see if she could get a bib to run Boston the following spring and wasn’t sure if she could do both.
“I was a little nervous about being able to fundraise for both races in such a short time, but my friend Korreen, who was a camper, and her husband Billy said they would help, and they did,” Missy said. “It felt really good to run for a purpose and for Korreen. Camp holds a special place in her heart, so it holds a special place in my heart.”
Missy is no stranger to marathons or to running in support of charities. Over the years, she has run 11 marathons, raising funds for variety of organizations. But when she attended Camp’s Gala last fall and saw first hand what she would be running for, she knew Hole in the Wall was who she wanted to support for Boston and New York.
“After running New York in the fall, I could have run for any charity for Boston,” Missy shared. “But I didn’t want to run for anybody else but Hole in the Wall. It was very rewarding to know that I was able to help so many sick kids go to Camp.”
In addition to the support from Korreen and Billy, Missy sold baked goods to raise funds. Because she was fundraising and baking over the holiday season, demand was high, and she raised more than $20,000 for Hole in the Wall over both races.
“We were delighted to have Missy run both the New York and Boston Marathons for Hole in the Wall,” said Jarrod Zwirko, associate director of community partnerships for Camp. “She is such a positive force, and it was inspiring to see her take on two races in such a short time to help our children and families.”
There are countless ways to get involved and become a fundraiser like Missy — find the event for you here.
