Running for Hope: 1st Marathon & Raising for Hope of Life

Hey all! I'm Avery, and I will be running my first marathon later this year - the Detroit Free Press Marathon on October 19th. I will be using my race to help raise money for an amazing organization, Hope of Life International. Hope of life International is a faith-based humanitarian nonprofit organization helping children, families and communities in Eastern Guatemala. They work to fight malnutrition, poverty, and transform the lives of communities in need. My church has worked with Hope of Life for years and has been able to contribute to some really good things in the village of Pueblo Nuevo in Guatemala.

This marathon is very full-circle moment for me. A couple years ago I was working as a machinist at the Detroit Free Press, and at the time I had been struggling with chronic lower back pain and was eying down back surgery in my early 20's. I was at a physical and mental low and was unable to do a lot of things that I was passionate about. Fast forward, I locked in on recovery and feel better than I ever. Being able to push myself (smartly) I got into running, and have been loving the process of getting ready to fun my very first marathon!

Hope of Life International Site