Chris Sammarco of Point Pleasant runs ten miles before most of us have a first cup of coffee, jogging at the shore near his home at daybreak at least three times a week. The miles add up, and in May he sought donations for behavioral health programs at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, where he sits on the the Board of Trustees at Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation.
Chris hoped to raise $5,000 by running 100 miles during Mental Health Awareness Month, but he exceeded those expectations. He raised more than $10,000 while logging more than 120 miles!
“I was more than happy to do it as it is a great cause,” says Chris.
Chris works out every day and runs at least ten miles several days per week before heading off to his busy full-time job as a pre-construction manager for DPR Construction in East Brunswick, where he manages a team of ten people. Chris and his team handle the estimating and purchasing for projects in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Chris, who has served on the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees for about a year-and-a-half, was inspired to run in memory of someone close to him, and shared he was happy to run to help those in need of critical behavioral health services.
“I had someone close to me who had an alcohol and drug issue that had a lot of help from the health care system,” says Chris. “They beat their problem, reconciled with their family and became healthy enough to enjoy the last few years of their life. I always keep that in the back of my head, because it drives everything I do. There are so many individuals facing mental health struggles and those who contribute can help make a big positive impact for our community.”
We congratulate Chris on exceeding his fundraising goals, and know his support will make an impact on patient care at Raritan Bay Medical Center. To learn more about Behavioral Health services at Raritan Bay, or to make a gift today, contact Stephen Maher, executive director, at stephen.maher@hmhn.org or visit GiveHMH.org/RaritanBay and direct your gift to Behavioral Health.
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