Kelly Healey Runs Boston Marathon for Girl Scouts

Today, Kelly Healey will embark on her first ever Boston Marathon. The Reading resident and Girl Scout volunteer is running for the scouts.

Healey is running for her Girl Scout Hannah. Hannah is Healey's inspiration, she told Patch.

"This run is for her," she said.

This past fall, Hannah asked Healey to run. Since Girl Scouts is the one activity Hannah has stuck with, Healey couldn't say no.

"The joy it brings to her by being part of a group warms my heart. Plus she loves selling the cookies! Today kids struggle with so much, a healthy lifestyle can not only bring the physical benefits, but also the emotional wellbeing a child needs to keep going," Healey said.

According to Healey, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is committed to offering health and wellness programs through the “Girl Scouts Get Moving Health Initiative.” The goal of the initiative is to teach girls how to stay healthy.

"Every year, they proudly offer quality indoor and outdoor programming to girls at our 14 camp properties and through our year-round program offerings. These programs educate girls on health, fitness and wellness in a variety of ways as they experiment with new sports and activities and keep moving all year long," Healey said.

She is running to raise money for the initiative to get girls "moving in the right direction for a bright future."

"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has always been part of my life, this is due to the friendships I developed when I was young. As my friends and I grew older afternoon aerobic classes or early morning runs pulled me through so many times. Maintaining a healthy life starts young and important for not only physical but mental well-being. I hope you will support my challenge by giving a gift to my run," she said.

Donate to her run by clicking here.