On April 17, 2017, John Humphreys, Brindey Marine, and Luis Santiago ran the historic 26.2 mile stretch from Hopkinton to Copley Square on behalf of West End House. “Team Dawnn for Peace” raised $38,000 in support of our youth — a record for the West End House Boston Marathon team. Thanks to the John Hancock Nonprofit Program, this is Team Dawnn for Peace’s second year running the Boston Marathon.   

The team name pays homage to West End House alumna Dawnn Jaffier, who was a mentor and role model for hundreds of young people at West End House and beyond. Learn more about Dawnn’s legacy here.

Each of the three 2017 Team Dawnn for Peace runners have meaningful ties to West End House. Luis Santiago is Commander is 78th US Army Band and the Assistant Director of Global Initiatives of Berklee College of Music. His wife is the Director of Visual & Performing Arts at West End House.

A volunteer at West End House for over six years, Brindey Marine ran the 2017 marathon in honor of the girls she has mentored and watched grow into young women at the club.

John Humphreys, a supporter of West End House since he attended our Annual Celebration in 2011, ran in memory of his father. “My dad always encouraged me to get out there and challenge myself. When the email seeking marathon runners for West End House hit my inbox, I knew immediately it was my dad sending me another challenge.”

Our three runners certainly rose to meet the challenge — and surpassed their fundraising goal, thanks in part to our Gold Community Sponsors, Deep Ellum and El Pelon Taqueria, and our Silver Community Sponsor, TZELL Travel Group.