March 21, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Husband-Wife tandem from Medford running Boston Marathon to raise money to
battle homelessness
BOSTON – Like most families, the Edsell-Vetters enjoy doing things together. So when it came to
running the Boston Marathon to raise money to help battle homelessness, both Jesse and his wife Carolyn
decided to run. Even their 7 year old son Yoni has also gotten into the act, having raised to date more than
$300 on his own to support the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP).
Jesse and Carolyn are two of the four members of Team MBHP, all running the Marathon to raise money
for MBHP’s programs which support Greater Boston’s most vulnerable residents. MBHP is an affordable
housing and homelessness prevention organization which assists individuals and families find and retain
housing. Jesse himself works as MBHP’s Hoarding Intervention Coordinator, helping prevent evictions of
tenants due to hoarding behaviors- an unfortunately common cause of homelessness.
They are approaching their lofty goal of raising a combined $20,000 for MBHP, but are hoping for a final
push in this last month of fundraising before the race. The whole-family effort of training and fundraising
has been arduous for the family of four (they also have a 2 year old boy), but the Edsell-Vetters have
never wavered in their commitment. “Why on earth would two parents of small children with full-time
jobs take on a challenge like this?” asks Jesse, “For us, the decision was easy – my clients and the clients
of my co-workers at MBHP need the resources and case management that these donations help make
possible.”
Carolyn echoes her husband’s strong belief in service and sacrificing for those less fortunate. Fundraising
has been part of their family culture from its inception. “When we got married ten years ago, we pledged
to create a Jewish home committed to peace and deeds of loving kindness, a warm and welcoming home
to all,” says Carolyn.
Their son’s Yoni’s fundraising prowess has not gone unnoticed either. While impressed by his tenacious
and giving spirit, they aren’t surprised. For the Edsell-Vetters, helping raise funds and awareness about
causes they believe in is just part of their family tradition. For them, the cause trumps all of the sacrifices
they have made. “If you think running 26.2 miles is hard, try being homeless,” says Jesse.
To learn more about Team MBHP, and to help the Edsell-Vetters reach their goal, go to the 2013
Marathon page under the “How to Help” button on MBHP’s website www.mbhp.org, or go directly to
Jesse’s fundraising site at http://bit.ly/JEVruns or Carolyn’s at http://bit.ly/CEVruns. You can also find
out more by contacting MBHP Development Manager Mary Jo Kane at (617) 425-6705 or
maryjo.kane@mbhp.org.
A photo of the Edsell-Vetters is attached.
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MBHP is the Massachusetts’ largest regional provider of rental housing voucher assistance. We serve
homeless, elderly, disabled, and low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Our region spans
Boston and 29 surrounding communities: Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Braintree Brookline, Burlington,
Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Lynn, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Newton, North
Reading, Quincy, Reading, Revere, Somerville, Stoneham, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown,
Wilmington, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn.
Our mission is to ensure that the region’s low- and moderate-income individuals and families have choice
and mobility in finding and retaining decent affordable housing; all of our programs and initiatives are
designed to encourage housing stability, increase economic self-sufficiency, and enhance quality of the
lives of those we serve. To achieve our mission and to promote efficient service delivery, we work
collaboratively with a broad array of service providers and neighborhood-based organizations.
We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home.