Local Marathon Winner, Law Firm Team Up for Military Family

A day after Veterans Day, Canton resident Kaye Anne Starosciak won the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon held in Fort Oglethorpe for the second straight year. The 38-year old mother of three posted a personal best marathon time of 2:58:17.

Canton attorney Jeff Heller, a friend of the Starosciak family, provided some extra motivation. The former Marine Corps judge advocate wanted to help support a local military family affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  After talking about ways each could help raise awareness of the challenges military members and their families face as a result of combat action, an idea was born.

Starosciak would run in honor of the troops, and Heller’s law firm would make a donation. The donation would go to help pay the funeral costs for , and also to the Wounded Warrior Project. A Purple Heart recipient and alumnus, MacKenzie served honorably in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and . 

“Our brave forces are seeing significant combat action in operations around the world,” said Heller. “Our contribution is small, but hopefully will help bring awareness to the fact that our military men and women need and deserve our support when they deployed, and also when they return home.”

Starosciak agrees. “It’s very common to see runners taking part in races to support a worthy cause. For me, there are none more important than those that support our troops and their families.”

Starosciak expects to run her third Boston Marathon in April, a race where she was the top female finisher from Georgia last year. She plans to work with other community members to help raise additional funds to support military families in and around Cherokee County. To lend your support, please visit the Support Our Military page at www.jeffhellerlaw.com.