Jimmy Mullin and I went to Mahopac High School together. Jimmy Mullen was a career military man, raising to the ranks of Major. Major James D Mullin passed suddenly in May of 2014.

It’s funny how you remember the littlest things about people.  When I think about Jimmy and seeing him in the halls of Mahopac High School all I can think of is him smiling, and saying “hey, Des.” Both Jimmy and his sister Tara were well liked kids with a huge social network.  Both popular and outgoing, the grief from Jim’s passing is still a palpable thing among Mahopac High School Alums. Recently his sister Tara reached out to me to offer a gift to my giving challenge.

I feel that you are doing such a wonderful thing, and Jimmy (who passed away in May) and I should repay your selflessness, so on behalf of my brother and I, I would like to offer 5 free hours of tutoring for grades 6-12 in the counties of Putnam or Westchester (I live in Tarrytown and am a seventh grade ELA teacher in Pleasantville). I will travel to that family free of charge. five sessions, an hour in duration….With Gratitude, Tara Mullin Birrittella

Firstly, I have to acknowledge just how wonderful and inspiring a person Tara is. In the face of adversity and loss, she proactively reached out to me to offer a gift of her time and expertise in her brother’s name.  Frankly, this gesture is inspiring. Tara is (to me) the epitome of all that is good in the world.  Her first reaction was to give.  Wow.  In response to her note I asked her if I could do something in honor of Jimmy on Veterans Day.  She told me about one of Jimmy’s friends Beth Piorkowski. I think it’s important for me to tip my hat to Beth here, and I want to share her story accurately, so I’m going to copy and paste the content of her fundraising page on this blog.  Please visit her page and donate in Jimmy’s honor.  I donated money in honor of my friend Jim. Rest in peace buddy.  I’m gonna miss that smile.

Beth Piorkowski’s Fundraising Page

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I am running throughout this next year to support Team Red White and Blue (www.teamrwb.org), an organization that works to improve the lives of America’s Veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.
I will be raising money for Team RWB in honor of my dear friend, Major James D Mullin, who passed away suddenly in May 2014. Major Mullin participated in and strongly supported efforts aimed at assisting veterans as they return to civilian life through positive and healthy supports. That is why, after much research, I found that Team RWB is the perfect organization to help me honor an amazing man-and an important cause.
I have accepted the torch from Major Mullin, but I do need your help. I am starting July 5th, 2014 with The Patriot Run 5K and will continue to take part in even more challenging runs as the year progresses (and hopefully my endurance too!)-including the 18.12 Challenge and Half Marathon in August and the Marine Corps Marathon in Oct of this year. All of the events I take part in will help provide support to our veterans-and I will wear the Eagle every step of the journey.
Please consider supporting my efforts by donating or by joining Team Mullin and wearing the Eagle along side me at an upcoming run/ride. Donating through this website is simple, fast, totally secure-and the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
I thank each of you for taking the time to visit my page-and PLEASE share this page with anyone else who may be interested in offering support.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
-Mother Teresa

For more information on Team RWB please visit the following:
www.teamrwb.org
www.facebook.com/TeamRWB

 

To learn more about why I’m giving a gift every day for 69 days, please read this If you have any ideas where I can give, what I can give, or how I can go about giving please either email me at chrisdessi@silverbacksocial.com, text or call 646 645 4171, comment  below or find me on Twitter@chrisdessi

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