The Boston chapter of Back on My Feet celebrated our first birthday official on May 24. Since then, we’ve had an array of birthday-themed activities keeping the celebratory spirit high, with the big she-bang at the John Hancock BoMF First Birthday Breakfast on June 13.
More than 400 friends of Back on My Feet streamed into the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel that morning to celebrate a year of lives changed by Back on My Feet in Boston.
Speakers included Jim Boyle, President of John Hancock, our generous title sponsor; Anne Mahlum, BoMF Founder and President; and Steve Karagiozis, a Back on My Feet member who shared his inspiring experiences with BoMF over the past year. The Birthday Breakfast was a time to look back on all of BoMF’s accomplishments and thank the very important people who made it all possible.
In just one year, Back on My Feet Boston teams have covered close to 9,000 miles. Our amazing volunteers have contributed over 5,500 hours. Over 100 shelter residents have been served through the program. Seventeen have attained permanent housing, 45 have received job training, and another 18 have obtained employment. Of course, none of this would have happened without the incredible generosity of our sponsors and the passion of our volunteers.
Back on My Feet also honored our incredible Team Leaders, many of whom have been leading their teams since we launched in Boston last year: Betty Yung at Hope House, Gael Henville at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Daniella Piccirilli at Father Bill’s Place, Matt Kennis at Boston Rescue Mission, Jess Rochlin at Boston Rescue Mission, Lauri McBurney at St. Francis House and Sara Raiken at Somerville Homeless Coalition. This is no small feat, as these runners have shaped each team into the family they are today and are truly the heart and soul of BoMF Boston.
Thank you of course to John Hancock and all of the other corporate sponsors who make Back on My Feet Boston possible, including Marriott, Richards Barry Joyce & Partners, Comcast, Comcast SportsNet and so many more.
It was a morning of celebration and of inspiration. But don’t just take our word for it. Have a look at the thoughts of some of our volunteers who attended the event: Tina from Carrots ‘N’ Cake and Martin from CheekyRunning.
Happy Birthday, Back on My Feet Boston! Be sure to check out the video to see a little bit of what we’ve been up to during the past year in Boston!
[...] hasn’t stopped there. Weeks later, Liberty Mutual signed on as a corporate sponsor of the John Hancock BoMF First Birthday Breakfast. According to Ted Kelly, Liberty Mutual Group Chairman of the Board in a letter to his [...]