All in Support of United Way of Long Island’s Veterans Programs
East Meadow resident David Smith has crossed the finish line in the TCS NYC Marathon and raised over $2,600 for United Way of Long Island’s veterans’ programs. The nonprofit was named an Official Charity Partner of the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, which took place on Sunday, November 7, 2021.
Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island said this was the sixth year the not-for profit has been invited to join the race under Team Mission United. “United Way of Long Island is pleased once again to be named an official charity partner of the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. We cheered on David and all of the members of Team Mission United on their journey to the iconic finish line as they raised important funds to benefit Long Island veterans.”
As a member of Team Mission United, David received encouragement from his employer and United Way sponsor National Grid. “We are honored to back Nicholas for his tremendous efforts in support of military members who have served our country,” said John Brucker, COO of Electric for NY of National Grid and United Way of Long Island Board member. He added, “We couldn’t be prouder.”
United Way’s Team Mission United is a dedicated group of athletes who run for the over 95,000 veterans and military families on Long Island. Mission United is a critical initiative of United Way of Long Island that focuses on supporting veterans’ services. This includes the areas of employment readiness & training, emergency financial assistance, case management and housing development.
The 2021 Team Mission United runners collectively have raised over $31,000 for United Way of Long Island’s veterans programs. Leading sponsors include: AARP, BottomLine Technologies, Hiram Cohen & Sons Insurance, National Grid, New York Community Bank Foundation and Royal Star Associates. To help David and his teammates continue their fundraising efforts visit: www.unitedwayli.org/teammissionunited
David Smith, Team Mission United Runner
Running the New York City Marathon as part of the United Way’s Team Mission United was David Smith’s first full marathon, but he’s no stranger to track and field. Running this race, to raise funds for veterans, is both a return and something new for him. He has participated in the Syracuse and the Great South Bay half marathons.
“I enjoy running,” Smith, a 41-year-old East Meadow resident, said. “I did track and field in school. I’ve completed a couple of 1/2 marathons, not a full.”
David saw being part of Team Mission United as a chance to be a part of this prestigious annual event and at the same time raise money for veterans’ groups, two good goals wrapped up in one event. “United Way is a great charity and to be able to help veterans is a great opportunity,” David added after returning from a six-mile run to and in Eisenhower Park. “This was my chance to support a worthy cause.”
In addition to being part of this year’s Team Mission United, David ran with extended family members who are also member of Team Mission United, including Thomas DeKennip, a U.S. Army veteran who ran with Team Mission United in 2019. His pack also included his brother-in-law Jason Safuto, U.S. Navy veteran and his friend Alyssa Barbosa, Air National Guard reservist.
“I’ve been trying to enter the New York City Marathon for a few years,” David said. “When I heard I could join the team, I jumped on it. For years, I did a lot of running. It tapered off since COVID. Now I stepped it up.”
The marathon is 26.2 miles, but David took a far longer journey to get to New York. He grew up in County Meath, near Dublin, Ireland, where he became a draftsman for an architect. He traveled to New York in 2002 at age 22, met his future wife Nicole, who grew up in Levittown, N.Y., and they now have two children Colin, 12, and Lyla, 9.
He may have been running up and down roads to prepare for the marathon, but David spends a lot of time working beneath them for National Grid in the underground department, “When I came to the United States, I did carpentry and five years ago I got a job with National Grid,” he said. “We install new gas service and repair gas leaks. I’m on a shift crew.”
David said he was glad to have the opportunity to do something for veterans after they did so much for others. “They provide an unbelievable service for the country,” he said. “They risk their lives for what we take for granted today.”
Photo Captions:
United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United member David Smith at the finish line in Central Park upon the completion of the 26.2 mile TCS NYC Marathon. He, along with the team of 10 athletes raised over $31,000 in support of United Way’s veterans’ programs and services.
United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United member David Smith (far right) prepares to run 26.2 miles in the TCS NYC Marathon along with family and friends (left to right) Thomas DeKennip, U.S. Army veteran, Jason Safuto, U.S. Navy veteran and Alyssa Barbosa, Air National Guard reservist. He, along with the team of 10 athletes raised over $31,000 in support of United Way’s veterans programs and services.