On November 24, I will be running the Philadelphia Marathon in memory of my grandfather, Bapu (Jacques), who passed away last month, and in honor of my cousin Ben, whose year unfolded with a series of unrelenting hardships: a crushing medical diagnosis, months of treatment, multiple disorienting relocations, and our shared loss of Bapu.

Ben, in his way, has remained a force through it all—generous, unyielding, irrepressibly himself—bringing laughter, comfort, and inspiration to those around him. In support of his passionate work as a community organizer, I am raising funds for Central Louisiana Interfaith, an organization at the center of Ben’s efforts to drive meaningful change in our world.

“The mission of Central Louisiana Interfaith is to build relational power in order to take action on issues that affect the common good of our communities. We are a broad-based community organization made up of congregations, non-profits, and civic organizations that cut across race, belief, and economics. Our work is about making positive change for all of the members of our community and doing the difficult work of cultivating relationships across the barriers that all-too-often divide us.”

It is fitting that this mission reflects so many of the values that defined our grandfather’s remarkable life—one of compassion, integrity, and service. I am incredibly grateful for your contributions.

💙 Lilly