Northport Woman Will Run NYC Marathon To Help Veterans

NORTHPORT, NY — While Danielle Krupka has been involved in athletics her whole life, she'll be stepping out of her comfort zone next month. Not only will she be running the New York City Marathon on Nov. 3, she'll be doing it for a cause near and dear to her heart.

Krupka, 26, of Northport, is using the marathon as a platform to raise funds for Home Base, a charity dedicated to helping veterans and their families. Krupka grew up around veterans herself. Both her late grandfathers served in World War II, and her late uncle served in Vietnam. Additionally, another uncle served in Korea, while a third uncle was in the reserves during the Cold War.

"I grew up listening to all their stories, and they had a lot of pride and honor for their country," Krupka told Patch.

Her family inspired her to volunteer at the Northport VA Medical Center last year as part of her clinical rotations she was doing for her work as a speech-language pathology intern. Throughout her time when she was home from working towards her bachelors in college, she helped out by pushing veterans' wheelchairs and conversing with them. She said she had a great experience working there, and that her time with the veterans led to her wanting to do more.

Krupka carefully researched different programs and charities that aid veterans. Due to her BA in biochemistry and master's in speech language pathology from Hofstra, she wanted the charity to be medical-related. She chose Home Base, a joint program between the Massachusetts General Hospital and Red Sox Foundation, whose mission is "healing the invisible wounds for veterans of all eras, service members, military families and families of the fallen through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research."

Krupka said multiple factors went into her decision: Massachusetts General Hospital being one of America's top hospitals, the program donating 99 percent of the proceeds to veterans and the fact that the hospital provides extra services that VA Hospitals can't because of the high demands.

"It’s really just about giving back," Krupka said. "I saw how much it meant to the veterans I was working with when I was at the VA. My generation, as a whole, kind of forgets how much these people have sacrificed for us. Their personal lives. Their family; everybody suffers when they go away. Somebody gets injured or they see something that they can’t forget about. I’m doing what I can in memoriam of my family members who I love so much."

Krupka has since raised over $4,400, though she's quick to credit the support of the entire Northport community, which rallied behind her, for her success. You can donate to her fundraising efforts for Home Base here.

On Sunday, The Wine Cellar on Main, at 70 Main St., Northport, hosted a fundraising event to help Krupka meet her initial goal of $3,000. Local businesses, including Robke's Country Inn, Seymour’s Boatyard, Maroni Cuisine, Casey Cakes, OrangeTheory, Kiddie Academy, Northport Feed and Grain, Harbor House, Tim’s Shipwreck Diner, Gunther's, Seven Quarts Tavern, Animal Instinct, Recovery, Napper Tandy's, Sand City Brewery, Northport Harbor Deli and the Jewelry Collection, all pitched in as well.

Mike O’Brien, who owns The Wine Cellar on Main with Lindsay Ostrander, credited the community for coming together.

"We all stick together around here to help one another," he said via press release. "It takes a village!"

Krupka thanks O'Brien and Ostrander for hosting the event, as well as every business that helped out through donations and/or catering.

"We’re so, so thankful for all the local businesses who participated," she said. "I never thought that by myself, I’d be able to raise as much money as I did. We’re on our way to raising $5,000 before Nov. 2. That goes to show how amazing this little community is."

Krupka has never ran the New York City Marathon and admits she's a bit scared. Though she feels her competitive drive will see her to the finish line.

"I’m trying to keep in mind the fact that I’m doing this for a good cause, and that’s what it’s about, but I really want to run well," she said.

Krupka said she works multiple jobs, which keeps her occupied 70-80 hours per week. She wakes up at 5:30 a.m. each morning to go out and run before work. But for her, thanks to the cause of supporting those who make so many sacrifices for the United States, it will all be worth it.