When Nags Head resident Tom Thomas found out he qualified for his second Boston Marathon, he decided to turn his marathon training into something good for his community. About one month out from the April 16 race, Tom is running 35-40 miles a week. He is also raising about $75 a week for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

Thomas is asking local individuals and businesses to sponsor his Boston Marathon run by making donations to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation at www.OuterBanksReliefFoundation.com. Many of his friends are giving $26.20, a reference to the marathon distance of 26.2 miles.

“When you train for and complete a marathon, the feeling of accomplishment is incredible. I figured, why keep that to myself? I want to turn my determination into something positive for others,” says Tom.

The Outer Banks Relief Foundation raises funds locally to give to people who live and work on the Outer Banks and have financial burdens due to illness, disease or tragedy.

During the first two months of 2018, the foundation has distributed $21,000 of assistance to 13 people in our community battling illnesses like cancer and COPD or struggling after tragedies like a house fire and motorcycle accident.

The foundation relies on people in the community for financial support—whether by their participation in events like the Couture By The Shore fashion show and the Outer Banks Marathon or through direct philanthropy.

“I applaud Tom for finding his own unique way of supporting his neighbors in need,” says Patty McKenna, the foundation’s director. “So far this year we are averaging $1,600 of assistance to each person who qualifies. I’d love to see that number go up. The more we raise, the more we can give to each family right now.”

Since 2005, the Outer Banks Relief Foundation has been easing financial burdens for people who live and work on the Outer Banks and are facing an illness or crisis. For more information visit www.OuterBanksReliefFoundation.com or the foundation’s social media pages.