Eastern Professor Runs a Marathon to Fight Poverty

Written by Jack Meltzer

Willimantic, Conn. - Health and Physical Education Professor Charlie Chatterton ran a marathon on the Eastern Connecticut State University campus on Sept. 4 to raise public awareness about poverty in America.  Members of Eastern's men's lacrosse team took turns running the marathon with Chatterton, who has run 34 marathons across the nation since September 2006 to raise public awareness about poverty.  He wants to run 38 marathons by the end of the year. He picked 38 to honor the nearly 38 million Americans living in poverty in America.

            The University's new Center for Community Engagement (CCE) collected canned food items in support of Chatterton's campaign, and Eastern's Office of Institutional Advancement will match $1 for every canned item received.  All items will be donated to the Covenant Soup Kitchen's Food Pantry.

            "I hope that everyone becomes more engaged in their own communities, just as I continue to challenge myself to do, to make a positive difference in addressing poverty," said Chatterton.  Persons interested in supporting Chatterton should contact him at (860) 872-0081 or by e-mail at charliechatterton@sbcglobal.net