Running for Rita update
Maxim finished the Half Marathon in 1 hour and 49 minutes.
“Race day was amazing—such a great turnout and so much support from the community. ”
He raised $1,468.00 for the Macular Degeneration Association in honor of his beloved grandmother RITA. Our sincere gratitude to a wonderful, thoughtful and caring young man.
By: Donna Auger
I had the pleasure of meeting Maxim Rappy through his father, Floyd Rappy. Floyd informed me that his son, Maxim, was going to be running in the Brooklyn Half Marathon in honor of his grandmother. Maxim’s grandmother had developed age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and he wanted to contribute and bring awareness to our organization to help find a cure for this sight stealing disease.
Maxim is 28 years old. He works in higher education as an Admissions Counselor at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, New York. From an early age Maxim has been passionate about athletics and music. He played competitive baseball, soccer and basketball during his school years. Additionally, he has played the drums throughout his early years, and continues to.
Maxim will be wearing our logo on his tank top during the race. Floyd, owner of the graphic design firm, Studio Rappy, designed the tank top for Maxim to wear while running in the Brooklyn Half Marathon.
I had the opportunity to speak with Maxim on the phone. Below is the interview.
Donna: Why did you pick the Macular Degeneration Association as the recipient of these funds?
Maxim: I was looking for a smaller non-profit to help to fund research to find a cure for AMD. I loved the message and mission the Macular Degeneration Association has.
Donna: What got you started wanting to help people?
Maxim: From a very young age, I have always felt a calling to help people see their inner light. This led to me co-leading an organization called Rising Stars. I supported children with disabilities through opportunities for them to play baseball, soccer, basketball, and track.
Donna: Tell me about your grandmother.
Maxim: My grandmother, Rita Kern, whom we called, “Nannie”, was an extraordinary woman! She was a voracious reader, loved her crossword puzzles and General Hospital shows, and adored her family.
My Nannie and Papa moved from Brooklyn, New York to Westchester, New York to help raise my older sister, Arianna and me. As Arianna and I got older, our Nannie and Papa moved down to West Palm Beach, Florida. We always looked forward to going to Nannie and Papa’s. We would swim in their town pool, play Rummikub and Uno, and go to Einstein’s Bagels and Panera Bread. Once my Nannie started losing her sight, and my Papa passed away, she moved back to New York to be close to family. Though her world was getting smaller with not having the full ability to do her crossword puzzles and watch her General Hospital shows anymore, she kept her spirits high. Discovering an art class in her assisted living facility at The Atria, Nannie’s spirits stayed high; in addition to seeing her family multiple times a week and being at all family birthdays, holidays and life events. One memory I will always cherish of my Nannie was the way her and I could laugh together like we were both kids again!
Donna: Where did you grandmother go for help?
Maxim: My Nannie went to the Lighthouse Guild in Manhattan to learn how she can live better with her deteriorating sight, purchase helpful technology and even get new glasses. I helped her pick out a pair of fashionable glasses to keep her youthful spirits up. In honor of her, I now wear her glasses, replacing the lenses with my prescription.
Donna: When is the Brooklyn Half Marathon taking place? How do people donate to your cause?
Maxim: The Brooklyn Half Marathon will be on Sunday, April 27th starting at 7:00am and going until about noon! It will be near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York.
Here is the link for people to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/running-for-rita-give-the-gift-of-sight?attribution_id=sl:d1b1a243-76f7-4110-b7c3-251805bd0081&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp15_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link