$102K in donations raised in Mayflower Marathon

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The 2012 Mayflower Marathon went down in the books as a record-breaking year.

Over the past 52 hours, an estimated $102,000 was raised in cash and food donations, which will all benefit the Open Pantry of Springfield . That's $30,000 more than what the drive has ever brought-in, in the 18 years Rock 102 hosts Bax and O'Brien have been hosting this event.

With just two hours left Wednesday morning, last-minute donations continued to pour in, and volunteers continued to pack the very last tractor-trailer.

A variety of people from our community had been coming to the Basketball Hall of Fame since Monday, carrying with them either a bag full of food, or a generous monetary donation.

This event has also served as a charitable lesson on how to give back to others who need it most.

“We do see parents with children coming in and just teaching them the spirit of the season and giving back to the community, which is wonderful,” said Allison Maynard, Director of the Open Pantry.

22News was there as parishioners from a small church in Hampden dropped-off 150 bags worth of food, totaling well over $4,000. It’s an act that will certainly go a long way.
 
“It gives people something to focus on besides their own families,” said Patrick Henry of St. Mary’s Church in Hampden, “and they know there are other families that need it.”

Students from Branford Hall Career Institute’s culinary arts program were at the Hall of Fame since the Marathon began, feeding volunteers and helping load the tractor trailers.

Culinary Arts Director Helmut Marosits says that they were excited to be a part of it all.

“It's just a great feeling know that you helped, you know, and that you gave back to the community that has given to you at some point,” Marosits said.

This outpour of support will help put food on table for thousands of families in the Greater Springfield area, through March.