Tommie Murray has been training for the past six months to accomplish something she has never done before.
On October 28, she will be running in the 26.2 mile Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.
She said she decided to run this endurance race to help raise awareness about the future of Tyrone – the children.
“Children are the future of our community and of our nation. I moved to Tyrone in June 2006 to help make a difference for the children here,” said Murray. “I connected with Jim Kilmartin to begin the Joshua House Juniors program – a ministry that serves the children with academic help, opportunities to make friends in a safe place, and most importantly a chance to get to know the love of our Father in Heaven through his son Jesus.
“Running this marathon mirrors the perseverance and determination a child needs to have in order to overcome the challenges life brings them. The feeling of accomplishment and self-respect as each mile is completed mirrors the small successes that help motivate children to continue to do great things, no matter how hard those tasks may seem to be.”
Murray said as she researched marathons, she found a trend that many people run for a cause or to bring about awareness or funds for something important to them.
“Something that’s important to me is children,” added Murray, who is a Kindergarten teacher at Myers Elementary School in Bellwood. “If there’s any worthy cause in my life, it’s children and their overall health.”
Along with coordinating the Joshua House Juniors program at Joshua House, Murray is also the assistant girls varsity soccer coach for Tyrone Area High School.
“I’m really running not only to raise funds but awareness for emotional, spiritual and mental health in our future generations,” added Murray.
All proceeds that Murray raises with her run will go towards sending kids to camp at Joshua House Juniors.
Those who would like to make donations can email her at: tommie@joshuahousetyrone.org, call 684-2032, mail to 123 W. 10th Street, Tyrone or stop by Joshua House. Make all checks payable to Joshua House.
Murray added that Joshua House Juniors will be starting up again in November. One day a week there will be after school tutoring and games, one night a week there will be children’s church and one night a month there will be family night where parents and children can create a fun craft together.
“I’ve already seen so many positive changes,” Murray added about the overall well-being of the area. “I think Tyrone has such great potential.”
