Thank you so much for visiting my fundraising page for the Hopkinton Music Association (HMA), a non-profit volunteer parent group that provides much needed support for the students in the Hopkinton Public Schools performing arts programs. Some examples of support include: providing formal wear for concerts for the high school band, orchestra and chorus; music scholarships for lessons for students grades 6-12; scholarships to graduating seniors in the music program; bringing in professional musicians to work with students; supporting the theatre programs to put on shows. 

    Since 2017, I’ve dedicated my marathon journey to support charitable causes that are close to my heart, such as the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Save the Children, Feeding America, Teams for Kids. This year, I’m immensely honored to be selected as the sole fundraiser for the HMA in running the 2025 Boston Marathon. The HMA’s mission strikes a profound chord with me, connecting to my earliest years as a grade school student, newly adjusting to life in Chicago after my family arrived as refugees of the Vietnam War. This was the time that music and performing arts entered my life and remained. I’d like to share the story of that beginning with you below, and how it connected me to this cause in such a personal way.

    In 1982, I was a student entering 8th grade. It’s been about 2 years on US soil for us. At this same time the film, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was released. It might have been first film that I saw in the theatre in the US, and even with my limited English comprehension at the time I was still absolutely enthralled by the story (I love sci-fi) and the soundtrack – so much so that when the film was shown at the “cheap theatre” I went to see it multiple times, alone; I wanted to be in that story. 🙂 The following year, I was accepted to attend Lane Technical High School. At the orientation event for incoming students, the school orchestra performed the ET soundtrack! I’m almost certain I sat there with my jaw wide open the entire time. That was it – I have to join the orchestra. And I’m going to play the cello. Well, fate would have it, I tried out and ended up getting a beginner spot in the orchestra…with the cello, which the school provided for use during school. I was very thankful for it because my family was not in a position to afford such an expensive instrument. Mr. Cina, the brilliant (he was incredible on the violin) but stern orchestra director, made it absolutely clear we were to treat the instruments with utmost care and didn’t hesitate with his reprimands whenever anyone was caught being careless. At the end of my freshman year before school let out for summer, Mr. Cina did something that was shocking for me at the time, knowing how much he cared for those instruments. Realizing that I wouldn’t be able to buy or rent one to continue with practice, he offered that I bring the cello home for the summer. On the last day, I waited until the CTA (public) bus was less crowded so I could have guarded space for that precious and bulky instrument in the flimsy canvas cover, without fear of being bumped against. 2 nervous bus rides and 2 blocks walk later I got it home.

    In November last year, as part of my charity research for the Boston Marathon, I was fortunate enough to be directed to the team at the Hopkinton Music Association. Once I understood their mission, I knew precisely what their support would mean to those students, just as what Mr. Cina’s support meant to me from so many years ago. I’m now given a chance to show that appreciation and pay it forward with this fundraising effort. I hope you will join me. Please know that I deeply appreciate your support in any amount in this singular goal of supporting these kids.

 Sincerely,

Tom