‘TEAM JENNESS’ GOES EXTRA MILE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR MERCY HOME, KIDS IN CRISIS
As Jim Jenness neared mile 16 of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, he was met by a boisterous cheering section gathered outside Mercy Home for Boys & Girls on West Jackson Blvd. Jenness ran his 20th consecutive Chicago Marathon and marked the occasion by raising funds for Mercy Home, whose boys campus and administrative headquarters are in the West Loop.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Jenness challenged the public to contribute $2,000 per marathon mile, which he promised to match en route to raising a total of $104,800 for the home. Jim’s efforts both on and off the course were wildly successful. He not only completed the course in just over 4 hours, but he almost tripled his fundraising goal, helping raise nearly $300,000. That amount was on top of a major matching grant that Jenness gave to Mercy Home to challenge the public to donate to the home throughout the summer.
Jenness ran his first Chicago Marathon in 1991 to raise funds for the full-time residential home for troubled and abused young people, which also operates a community-based mentoring program for at-risk youth and provides placement and aftercare services for hundreds of children each year. Ever since that marathon, Jenness has remained an active supporter of Mercy Home’s mission, and has been a member of its Board of Regents for the past 10 years.
“I believe that Mercy Home truly saves kids’ lives.” Jenness said before the race. “So when I step out on the course this fall, I will carry that belief with me every step of the way.” Jenness inspired others to rise to this Marathon Challenge and help carry the torch for Mercy Home. “I think it’s a great way to celebrate the gifts of life and health while making a difference in the lives and the futures of others,” Jenness said.
“What an incredible contribution to the young people of this city,” said Rev. L. Scott Donahue, president and CEO of Mercy Home. “We are truly blessed and thankful to have such a good friend like Jim, literally going that extra mile to help bring healing and opportunity to hurting young men and women.”
As Jenness and the other runners battled temps that soared into the 80s, supporters made noise near Mercy Home to give him the fuel to finish. The rally station featured a drum line, youth flag-waivers, and banners thanking Jim for his incredible generosity. Jim slowed long enough to high five well-wishers before continuing on his 26.2 mile journey.
The Team Jenness Marathon Challenge is a dramatic example of an increasingly popular method of raising funds for the home, which relies on donors like Jenness for 99.8% of its operating resources. “We’re seeing a lot more people who want to step up by doing something unique to help us in our work with kids,” said Mimi LeClair, the agency’s vice president of advancement. “Many donors like to combine their personal interests with their commitment to our mission. And in Jim’s case, he’s using his remarkable achievement of 20 consecutive marathons for the good of our children.”
