Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation: A decade of caring

Nonprofit organization’s annual 5K run/walk June 20 in Princeton. Link to article.

PRINCETON — The Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary and a decade of fundraising this coming weekend for the nonprofits annual 5K run/walk.

The Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation founded in memory of the young woman who was tragically killed in 2016 is celebrating its 10th anniversary and a decade of impact with its annual 5K run/walk on June 20 at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton. (COURTESY VANESSA T. MARCOTTE FOUNDATION)
The Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation founded in memory of the young woman who was tragically killed in 2016 is celebrating its 10th anniversary and a decade of impact with its annual 5K run/walk on June 20 at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton. (COURTESY VANESSA T. MARCOTTE FOUNDATION)

The foundation was formed in memory of Vanessa Marcotte, a 27-year-old woman tragically killed by a random act of violence in 2016 in Princeton while taking a jog on a Sunday afternoon. Its mission is to empower women and help create a world free from objectification and harassment and the foundation has educated thousands of girls and women on boundary setting, situational awareness, and self-defense, and collaborates with youth-focused organizations on programs that address the root causes of violence.

“We are so proud of all we’ve accomplished in Vanessa’s honor to make the world a safer place,” said Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation President Caroline Tocci, Vanessa’s cousin. “We’re grateful for the continued support of our caring community and we appreciate everyone who has helped to spread awareness of our mission. We look forward to building on our impact in the next decade to create lasting change.”

The 10th annual Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/Walk is being held on June 20 at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women and help create a world free from objectification and harassment. (COURTESY VANESSA T. MARCOTTE FOUNDATION)
The 10th annual Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/Walk is being held on June 20 at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women and help create a world free from objectification and harassment. (COURTESY VANESSA T. MARCOTTE FOUNDATION)

The yearly Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/Walk is the nonprofit organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The 10th annual event taking place on Saturday, June 20 at Wachusett Mountain welcomes both serious and recreational runners and walkers of all ages to the paved road course that is mostly flat with two short hills.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the Kid Fun Run kicks off at 9 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9:30 a.m. Medals are awarded to top finishers, and post-race festivities include DJ music provided by XLO 104.5, raffles, a silent auction, kids activities, and food and beverages, including a special 10th anniversary cake. For more information and to register visit Run4Vanessa.org or VTMF.org.

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