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Peter Nassoit |
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Fall River man runs marathon to help URI community
Peter Nassoit, a website/graphic designer from Fall River, Mass., ran the New York City marathon last November with a special purpose: to raise funds for the Heather Fund. The non-profit fund was established in memory of his cousin, Heather Vennewald, who took her own life while a student at URI.
The fund provides support for the prevention and treatment of depression and suicide for the URI community.
Finding the time to train, getting adequate sleep and nutrition, and dealing with the ever-present aches and pains wasn’t easy for Nassoit.
“I won’t say that I’m a great athlete by any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “Before I started training, I had never run more than 100 yards. I knew that I could get used to running during the summer. But a marathon? That was a whole other beast. After all, 26.2 miles is a long way to travel on two feet.”
It proved rewarding. The day of the race the weather was beautiful, the crowds were enormous, and Nassoit finished in just under five hours. He also raised close to $2,500 for the fund.
“Along with the physical benefits of running,” he said, “it’s been proven that exercise is one of the most effective means of treating psychological disorders such as depression. I have suffered from mild depression in the past and found exercise one of the best ways to overcome those feelings. The connection to the Heather Fund made perfect sense.”
The two cousins grew up in New Jersey about 20 minutes away from each other. “Heather was a fun loving, outwardly social person with a great sense of humor. She and her brother and sister had lots of friends throughout high school and in college. She was loved by everyone,” Nassoit said.
“The Heather Fund helps the center serve as a safe place where students can go to get help without the fear of being judged,” says Jim Campbell, director of the URI Counseling Center. “Peter’s offer of help was a remarkable act of generosity. He has been able to convert sadness into hope for others.”
By Jan Wenzel
