Amica Insurance gives fundraisers an extra boost at the Amica Newport Marathon

On Oct.13, more than 3,000 runners and walkers took to the streets of Newport for a test of endurance in the Amica Insurance Newport Marathon and Half Marathon. For many runners, the race was not only a test of their physical abilities but carried a greater purpose: running as a fundraiser for a variety of charitable causes.

This year, Amica Insurance announced an initiative to provide 10 randomly selected fundraisers with an additional $1,000 contribution to their designated charity. The additional contributions were given on behalf of the following runners:

Allison Neves, running for Samaritans, Inc.

Patrice French, running for Ronald McDonald House of Providence

Andrew Chagnon, running for Boys Town New England

Lindsey Machamer, running for Boys Town New England

Ken Dobbler, running for Firefighters Fighting ALS

Amanda Jones, running for Clean Ocean Access

Gabriela Gonzales, running for Boys Town New England

Tammy Allard, running for Running For Rescues

Kimberly Ohnemus, running for Clean Ocean Access

Nora Johnson, running for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

“Running the Newport Marathon was a great way to help raise money for Boys Town, a charity I have been involved with for many years,” says Chagnon. “Just a day before the race, it was a great surprise to find out I had been selected for an additional $1,000 for my fundraiser from Amica! I can’t thank them enough for organizing a great race on a beautiful course, and giving my fundraising an unexpected boost.”

“There were a number of really special things that happened to me during my journey of fundraising and training for this race,” says Neves. “Being selected as one of the 10 to receive $1,000 toward my campaign from Amica Insurance was definitely one of the top things. It really was an honor, and I’m extremely grateful for having been chosen.”

“One of the many ways donated money is utilized in the charity I’m supporting (Samaritans, Inc.) is in operating their 24/7 helpline for individuals feeling depressed or suicidal,” continues Neves. “It costs the Samaritans $6.50 each time someone phones/texts this number. Amica’s contribution of $1,000 will cover the cost of 153 calls, which is pretty remarkable, and something they, as an organization, should be proud of.”

The Amica Insurance Newport Marathon and Half Marathon has always had a charitable focus — the event has six local charitable partners and contributes $50,000 in direct donations to those groups: Clean Ocean Access, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Ronald McDonald House of Providence, the Newport County YMCA, Boys Town New England and the Aquidneck Land Trust. In addition, event participants raised a combined total of approximately $30,000 online for a variety of chosen charities, through fundraising platform Crowdrise.

The Amica Insurance Newport Marathon and Half Marathon will return on Oct. 11, 2020, with event registration opening this December. For more information, including more details on charitable partners and fundraising impact, visit www.newportmarathon.com.