Lynn Cella-Coyne.
(March 11, 2014)
Wallingford
7:10 p.m. EDT, March 11, 2014
When Lynn Cella-Coyne was accepted to run for the YMCA of Greater Boston in the 2014 Boston Marathon, thanks to the John Hancock Marathon Non-Profit Program, she was ecstatic. Cella-Coyne, 39, of Wallingford, is on the board of directors for her hometown Wallingford YMCA and will be running her second Boston Marathon this April.
“I love the feeling of accomplishment, whether I am going for a 3 mile training run or running the 26.2 mile marathon itself. It’s a good and healthy thing to do,” says Cella-Coyne. “I find if I run for charity, it gives me a purpose. I feel a responsibility to finish when it’s a charity I believe in.”
While training for this year’s marathon, she has been battling chronic bronchitis, but despite her health setbacks, she’s confident that she’ll be right on pace as she heads toward the finish line.
Cella-Coyne has had a long-standing relationship with the Y, spending countless hours there as a child. Now as an adult, she maintains her health and wellness at her local Y and also volunteers as a board member. She has made it her mission to fundraise enough to ensure that everyone can enjoy the programs and services the Y has to offer. “It’s added motivation for me to ensure that these essential programs are available to families in need.”
All funds raised by Y Marathon team members will support YMCA of Greater Boston teen programs. This past summer the YMCA of Greater Boston handed out more than 8,000 free three-month memberships to teens at our 13 branches with unlimited access. Most (almost all) teen programs that the YMCA offers are free and open to the community. Programs like Safe Dating and Cyber Bulling have also become staples at the Y, giving more than 1,000 teens the skills they need to make proper decisions.
“Teens are a group that often gets overlooked,” says Cella-Coyne. “I am proud that the YMCA offers programs designed just for this age group. I hope that my fundraising efforts will raise awareness of the impact this organization has on the community.” Her fundraising goal is $8,500. To support Cella-Coyne’s fundraising efforts, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/YMCAGB2014BostonMarathon/fundraiser/lynncellacoyne.
“The YMCA of Greater Boston has been a longstanding fixture in the city, just like the Boston Marathon, so we are thrilled to be part of a historically positive day in the city,” says YMCA of Greater Boston CEO and President Kevin Washington. “As one of Boston’s leading social service agencies promoting healthy living and athletic achievement for more than 160 years, we are honored to stand YStrong with our city.” Learn more about the YMCA’s runners by visiting ymcaboston.org/ystrong.
The YMCA of Greater Boston also has many volunteer opportunities leading up to and on the day of the marathon, including helping at the race day celebration, organizing Y fans out on the course, assisting with race day logistics and much more. For more information on how you can support the Y’s runners through volunteerism, email ymarathonteam@ymcaboston.org.
Copyright © 2014, The Hartford Courant
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