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Marathon runner and humanitarian Timothy Higgins strives to improve people’s lives through charitable work, one mile at a time. In 2006, the native New Yorker ran in the ING New York City Marathon and helped raise more than $10 million for Team for Kids, a group that generates money for projects that fight childhood obesity. A year later, he ran in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and a month later he entered the ING New York City Marathon to support Race with Purpose, another charity focused on children’s health. Timothy Higgins has donated to a score of other charitable organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Red Cross, and Trocaire House. One of four boys, Timothy Higgins completed high school in Queens and worked in restaurants throughout his college years to pay his tuition. Timothy Higgins played the saxophone in high school and continues to appreciate music, making a special effort to attend live concerts of his favorite bands, such as U2 when the group entertained in Ireland. As a dedicated father, Timothy Higgins encourages his children to participate in his humanitarian efforts and involved them in shopping for food and toys for a family struggling in El Salvador. Timothy Higgins has chosen to focus his philanthropy on children in order to assist them in becoming successful adults. In addition to dedicating himself to running, he follows the New York Yankees and enjoys fishing, reading, and watching movies.

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2013 New York Marathon Largest Ever

Timothy Higgins contributes time and money to a variety of charities, including Habitat for Humanity and the Coalition for the Homeless. When Timothy Higgins is not working with charities, he enjoys training for marathons. In the past, he has run the New York Marathon. First organized over 40 years ago by Fred Lebow and Vince Chiapetta, the original New York Marathon was held in Central Park and featured 127 runners competing for cheap wristwatches. The runners paid an entrance fee of $1 for the event, which had a total budget of just $1,000. The 2013 edition of the marathon was the largest to date. More than 50,000 competed in the race, making the 2013 event the largest marathon ever held. The marathon also saw the one-millionth runner cross the finish line since the race’s inception in 1970. The 2011 New York Marathon previously held the designation as history’s largest running event, with nearly 47,000 runners taking part.

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Wounded Warrior Project Announces Date for Upcoming 8K Run

An avid runner, Timothy P. Higgins has participated in numerous marathons over the years, competing for charity in events such as the New York City Marathon for Team for Kids and Race with Purpose. Timothy Higgins is also a longtime supporter and contributor to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Recently, WWP announced the date for its first 8K run, which will take place Sept. 7, 2013, at Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville, Florida. The organization encourages all of its members and supporters to participate. As part of a series of races to be held in select cities later this year, the Jacksonville 8K Run is designed to raise money and awareness for those who have been injured while fighting for our country. Adult participants may compete individually or as part of a team, and there is also a 1K Fun Run for runners age 12 and under. In addition to the Jacksonville race, 8K runs are scheduled for San Antonio, Texas, and Franklin, Tennessee. Established in 2003, WWP is dedicated to providing assistance to service members who have been injured in combat. A few of the programs WWP offers include outdoor rehabilitative treatment, economic assistance, and an alumni network and support group.

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Running Marathons for Charity, by Timothy Higgins

Running a marathon is an incredible achievement in its own right, but raising funds for a charity while running a marathon can make the accomplishment even more rewarding, because you have contributed to a worthy cause.  Some marathons are already affiliated with charitable organizations. You can join those, or you can select a charity that you are truly passionate about, and find people and businesses to sponsor you for the run.  It might seem daunting to ask for donations, but it is actually quite simple. You can ask friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor you at only $1 per mile. Most people end up donating more than $26; on the average, a person donates $50 toward a marathoner’s run. Even if you only find 10 people to donate for you, you will have raised $500. Remember, too, that some employers offer matching donations. To make your sponsors feel more involved in their donation, create an online fundraising website where people can donate directly. You can include detailed information about your charity, as well as your own personal story and why you have chosen to run a marathon. Send out regular e-mails to your friends and family on your training process to keep them involved in your running.  When the marathon is over, remember to contact your sponsors and let them know how you did, and how much money they helped you raise for the charity. About Timothy Higgins: In 2006, Timothy Higgins ran the New York City marathon for Team for Kids. He ran the Chicago marathon in 2007, and 30 days later, ran the New York City marathon once again for Race with Purpose, a charity that concentrates on ending childhood obesity.

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Modest Needs, Real Benefits, By Timothy Higgins

Modest Needs is a unique charitable organization in the United States. Most charities either support a specific cause, or support those who are already at the end of their ability to fix the problems plaguing them. What Modest Needs does is provide grants to individuals and small non-profit groups to bridge gaps that would otherwise become disastrous stumbling blocks. Modest Needs is primarily concerned with people who are teetering on the edge of becoming truly impoverished. These are people who work hard and live responsibly, but have no safety net to rely on should things change. For the working poor, a sick day can be the difference between making rent and being served an eviction notice. Modest Needs gives such individuals and families an extra line of defense against such eventualities. In addition to providing emergency grants for people in need, Modest Needs also provides small grants to charities that do good work but are having trouble making ends meet, usually due to their small size. These grants are designed to support programs that are cost-effective and likely to have a positive impact. Between grants for individuals and grants for other non-profits, Modest Needs is supporting those who are almost within reach of supporting themselves, and lifting them up into better lives and brighter futures. About the Author: Timothy Higgins is a professional who works and lives in the New York area. Timothy P. Higgins supports many charities, including Modest Needs.

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Timothy Higgins Supports Team For Kids

Passionate about running and supporting charitable endeavors, Timothy Higgins notably ran the ING New York City Marathon in 2006 on behalf of Team For Kids. This committed group of runners, who come from countries spanning the globe, competes in major events in support of New York Road Runners youth services. Team For Kids members regularly take part in diverse events, including the New York City Triathlon and the BMW Berlin Marathon.  The funds raised by Team For Kids are used to promote health and fitness among youth in underserved communities. These children would otherwise find it difficult to access physical fitness programs. Educational courses notably extend beyond community centers and schools in New York to include locations across America and in Africa. Altogether, more than 100,000 children are assisted through the yearly efforts of Team For Kids. The organization has significantly impacted the fight against childhood obesity.  Timothy P. Higgins’ other charitable running endeavors include participating with his wife in the 2007 ING New York City Marathon on behalf of Race With Purpose.

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Dan Brown Author of The Da Vinci Code

Dan Brown, the American novelist most famous for The Da Vinci Code, grew up in New Hampshire. The son of a mathematics teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy, the famous preparatory boarding school, Dan Brown engaged in puzzles and elaborate treasure hunts designed by his father while growing up. His interest in secrets and ciphers transferred to his novels, infusing them with mystery and conspiracy theory. After graduating from Phillips Exeter, Brown attended Amherst College, where he studied fiction writing under the guidance of Alan Lelchuk. After college, Dan Brown worked as a singer and songwriter for multiple years, moving to Hollywood to further his career while also teaching.

Brown first started writing professionally in the early 1990s and stopped teaching in 1996 to devote himself full-time to the endeavor. He published his first novel, Digital Fortress, in 1998, followed shortly by Deception Point and Angels & Demons. Although he did not enjoy commercial success with these novels, his fourth novel, The Da Vinci Code, became a New York Times Best Seller in 2003. As of 2009, more than 81 million copies of the novel had sold worldwide, making it one of the most widely read novels of all time. Dan Brown did not publish his follow-up to the novel, The Lost Symbol, until last year.

The Da Vinci Code follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he investigates a murder at the Louvre in Paris. The murder victim stands posed like Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man with an encrypted message that Langdon must unravel. He unearths a battle between Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion concerning discrepancies in Catholic theology as it relates to Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene. The Da Vinci Code, an engaging novel that immediately captivates the reader and does not let go until the very end, serves as one of Timothy P. Higgin’s favorite novels.

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Timothy Higgins Discusses His Charitable Activities

An active member of his community, Timothy Higgins contributes to a number of charitable organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Coalition for the Homeless. An active parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church in Huntington, Long Island, Timothy Higgins also supports the Parish Outreach Trocaire House. The organization provides people in need with meals at home and organizes holiday feeding events. Trocaire House collaborates with a number of community organizations in its efforts to end hunger in the community. They include the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Cub Scouts. The nonprofit also offers adult reading instruction and free legal clinic services. The organization also works closely with individuals with special needs. Trocaire House’s range of community assistance extends to nursing home visits and friendly home visitors. The organization also provides drivers for those with special transportation needs. Timothy Higgins’ contributions to Trocaire House include warm clothes during the winter months and supermarket gift certificates. He also volunteers for outreach activities.

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The Latest News from the American Red Cross

International aid organization, the American Red Cross, oversees programs in nearly every country in the world. Read about some of the nonprofit’s latest initiatives and relief efforts below. Following a devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake and the resulting tsunami in Japan, the Japanese and American Red Cross networks went immediately to work organizing relief parties and raising donations. The Red Cross in Japan dispatched dozens of teams made up of several hundred doctors, nurses, and support staff to affected regions, where mobile clinics provided medical care to quake victims and search-and-rescue units sought survivors and helped people evacuate areas near damaged nuclear power plants. The Red Cross in America sent a disaster management expert to Japan to assist with the efforts; the organization plans to provide any financial or manpower assistance that its Japanese counterparts might need in the days to come. Recently, the Red Cross visited Capitol Hill, where the organization ran CPR and first aid training programs for legislators and their staff members. Inspired by the medical aid actions undertaken by the staff of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and local residents in response to the shooting in Tucson, Arizona, the Red Cross held three one-hour training sessions, at which attendees learned how to administer CPR and provide care for persons with serious injuries. The sessions kicked off the Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday event, an initiative setup by the Red Cross to hold similar trainings at more than 100 nationwide locations on March 19, 2011. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Crescent societies from throughout North Africa began supplying provisions and medical care to people affected by the political unrest in Libya in March 2011. The Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations established emergency shelters and mobile clinics along the Tunisian and Egyptian borders of Libya to aid with the influx of refugees fleeing Libya. Additionally, The Red Cross sent medical teams into Libya to help at understaffed hospitals within the country. For the latest information on Red Cross initiatives or to donate to current relief efforts, log on to www.redcross.org.

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Timothy P. Higgins on Running and Philanthropy

by Timothy P. Higgins For years I have balanced my career as a Wall Street stockbroker and financial advisor with the sport of road running. Through running, I have grown as a husband, father, and professional by overcoming some of my most difficult challenges while building my perseverance and commitment. For me, running provides many benefits, helping me to stay active and in shape, allowing me an outlet for stress, and encouraging me to set and achieve goals. Over the years, I have found other reasons to run, too, including the social aspects of belonging to a running club and the philanthropic programs allowing me to donate to my favorite charities and support my community. Currently I belong to the New York Road Runners (NYRR), an organization that hosts road races for more than 300,000 athletes each year and serves its 40,000 members by providing them with clinics, entry into races, and community service opportunities. Membership in the NYRR encourages me to stay motivated by offering various running groups for my participation. In 2006, I ran the ING New York City Marathon for the NYRR’s Team for Kids, a charitable organization committed to raising money for programs that fight childhood obesity. The race provided me with an eye-opening experience; it served as one of the most difficult physical challenges I have ever completed and I belonged to a team dedicated to running and helping others lead healthy lives. One year later, I completed the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, followed by the New York City Marathon with my wife the same year. I have sought contributions for many of my races, donating the funds to causes that I find worthy, which include the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; the nonprofit Modest Needs; the advocacy organization, Coalition for the Homeless; and the American Red Cross.

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James Patterson

An avid reader, Mr. Timothy P. Higgins finds the works of James Patterson, an American novelist responsible for a number of bestselling thrillers, particularly enjoyable. Formerly a successful advertising professional, Patterson began writing full-time in the mid-1990s, though he had already published a number of well-received novels. In total, Patterson has authored 65 books, including 56 bestsellers, and won several awards, such as the Edgar Award and recognition as the International Thriller of the Year. In addition to his writing career, Patterson founded of the James Patterson Pageturner Awards, which acknowledges efforts to encourage reading among children, and ReadKiddoRead.com, an invaluable resource for the best children’s literature. James Patterson’s most well-known books, the Alex Cross series, consists of 16 novels, starting with Along Came a Spider in 1993. A forensic psychologist, Alex Cross works in Washington, D.C., as a homicide investigator. In Along Came a Spider, Cross labors to catch the perpetrator behind a series of gruesome murders. The book was later turned into a movie starring Morgan Freeman as Cross. Patterson’s second Alex Cross novel, Kiss the Girls, also became a movie in 1997. This November, James Patterson plans to publish Cross Fire, the 17th Alex Cross installment.