Megan Callinan, shown with son Nolan, will run her first Boston as a fundraiser for Hopkinton Youth Football.

Megan Callinan, a resident since 2016, will attempt her first marathon as part of a fundraiser for Hopkinton Youth Football.

“Ever since I was a child, I have loved Marathon Monday!!” she wrote on her fundraising page. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a spectator of this amazing event cheering on the runners. The energy of that day is like no other, and I can’t wait to become a runner in this iconic event.”

Callinan’s second grader, Nolan, played youth football last fall, while her husband served as an assistant coach.

“For those unfamiliar with Hopkinton’s Youth Football program, it was essentially defunct five years ago,” she wrote. “Under new organization leadership, It has grown tremendously since culminating with three Super Bowl champions this past season! The future is very bright for our Hillers!”

Callinan noted that “fundraising has played a pivotal role in getting the program where it is today and will be essential in getting us where we envision it will be. As the organization grows, the need for new equipment with the highest safety standards also grows. Please consider donating and supporting this wonderful cause!”

Donleavy boosts Tax Relief Fund

Jack Donleavy set a goal of raising $7,000 for Hopkinton’s Tax Relief Fund, which provides direct financial assistance to disabled and senior residents.

“If you’ve ever experienced the excitement of running the Boston Marathon, you’ve felt the energy of Hopkinton, Massachusetts — the starting point of one of the world’s most iconic races,” Donleavy wrote on his fundraising page. “For those unfamiliar, Hopkinton isn’t just the place where 36,000 runners begin their journey. It’s a tight-knit community that embodies the spirit of unity, resilience and celebration. Each year, the town, volunteers and families gather to cheer on runners and send them off on their 26.2-mile journey, creating an atmosphere unlike any other.”

Added the Boston resident: “This year, I’m asking for your help in giving back to this community that has given so much to so many. Hopkinton is facing significant challenges. To support its growing needs — including infrastructure, education and the everyday costs of running a municipality — taxes will rise by at least 25% in the coming year[s]. This increase poses a serious financial burden for low-income seniors and people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, jeopardizing their ability to stay in their homes and remain a part of this vibrant community.”

Sabouni relates to Live4Evan

After previously running the New York City Marathon on behalf of the Hopkinton-based charity Live4Evan, Soroosh Sabouni will take on Boston this year for the same organization.

New York City Marathon veteran Soroosh Sabouni will take on Boston this year for the Hopkinton-based Live4Evan organization.

Live4Evan, founded after the passing of Hopkinton college student Evan Giardi in 2010, provides housing support for families of children being treated for congenital heart defects — the same abnormality that plagued Evan.

“I’m so excited to be running the Boston Marathon and yet another Live4Evan race!” Sabouni shared in his fundraising appeal. “I am running the Boston Marathon for L4E because I know what it’s like to need a life-saving surgery and need a place to stay for my family when they were in town for my surgery. While I didn’t need heart surgery, I empathize with the cause, and if it weren’t for other organizations like L4E, I may not be here today. I believe all of our heart warriors should be able to not have to worry about having their support system with them during these times.”

O’Shaughnessy supports Lions

Keegan O’Shaughnessy began running marathons after graduating from Fairfield University in 2023. He’ll run Boston as a fundraiser for the Hopkinton Lions Club.

“My Mom is a two-time Boston Marathoner who also fundraised on behalf of numerous charities,” the lifelong Bostonian explained as part of his fundraising appeal. “I have taken after her and found a passion for marathoning in tandem with fundraising for causes that I hold close to my heart. This will be my second Boston Marathon and third world major, and I plan to run my first sub-three-hour marathon.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to fundraise on behalf of the Hopkinton Lions and cannot wait to race in Boston representing them!”

King goes to bat for ALS

Meghan King is running with the Angel Fund Marathon Team, designated as the Sharon Timlin Memorial Event charity runner. The Timlin Event is a road race and family fun day held in Hopkinton every June as a fundraiser for ALS research.

King, who is running her 23rd consecutive Boston, notes on her fundraising page that she has raised about $100,000 for the Angel Fund through her past runs.

The money has provided “essential funding for research which directly assists world renowned ALS research Dr. Robert H. Brown Jr. and his research team at UMass Medical School in bringing critical research to clinical trial,” she wrote.

Added King: “As many of you may know, a close friend of mine, Rich Kennedy, was diagnosed with ALS. Rich is the President of the Angel Fund and has lost both his father and two brothers to this devastating disease. Now more than ever, we need to support Dr. Brown and his incredible research team in finding a cure for ALS.”

Katz blossoms for Garden Club

Ryan Katz, a former Massachusetts resident who now teaches on New York’s Long Island, is the marathon charity runner for the Hopkinton Garden Club.

Katz focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and helped with an annual project dedicated to environmental awareness — including building a pollinator garden on campus. As he explained on his fundraising page, he also teaches life science units focused on the role of plants in improving ecosystems through biodiversity and spends time gardening with his family, making him a good fit for the HGC.

“I consider myself a lifelong learner of the natural world and want to be the best role model possible for my students,” he stated.