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Matthew W. DePaolera Memorial Foundation

@depaolerafoundation

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Matthew W. DePaolera Memorial Foundation
Strength for today. Support for tomorrow. Lasting hope for young families.

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One week ago, 38 of us crossed the finish line of the AC Half Marathon. 13.1 miles filled with so much love and support for something so much bigger than running….And together, we raised over $18,000 for the Matthew W. DePaolera Memorial Foundation! Absolutely incredible.

We ran for Matt. For his legacy. For every family whose world has been ripped apart by cancer.

The race may be over, but our mission is just getting started. We have so many exciting things planned, and this is only the beginning of what we can accomplish together.

Want to be part of what’s next? Follow along, share our mission, and support the Matthew W. DePaolera Memorial Foundation through the link in our bio. Together, we can continue making a difference for families facing cancer and keep Matt’s legacy alive. 🫈💙🪽 by @depaolerafoundation

Ran with heart. Finished with purpose. 🤍 Half Marathon ✅ by @depaolerafoundation

Sunday was a day I’ll never forget. I’ve always felt closest to Matt by the water, and damn, what an incredible day we had. Running down that boardwalk with the sun shining on the waves, surrounded by so much love, was something I’ll carry with me forever. 38 of us. 13.1 miles. One purpose. To run like hell for Matt.To honor his life, carry on his legacy, and keep fighting for families whose worlds have been shattered by cancer. No family should ever have to navigate that kind of heartbreak alone.

I wish more than anything that we didn’t have a reason to run in his memory. But I know Matt was with us every step of the way. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for every single person who continues to show up, say his name, and help turn our heartbreak into something meaningful.

So here’s my ask: Don’t wait for life to remind you how precious it is. Hug your people tighter. Say I love you more. Be grateful for the ordinary moments, because one day you’ll realize they were the extraordinary ones. And never stop showing up for the people you love.

I hope you’ll continue to follow along, support our foundation, and be part of all the incredible things we have planned. Every event, every donation, and every person who shows up helps us keep Matt’s legacy alive and make a difference for families who need it most. 🫈🫶🏼 by @depaolerafoundation

It’s a privilege to do hard things. 38 of us ran a 1/2 marathon for something bigger than ourselves and it was the most beautiful day filled with support, cheers, hugs, laughs, tears, sore muscles and the absolute best group of people running in memory of one of Gods best, Matt Depo.

Maria you did an incredible job pulling this together. I’m in awe of you. To the Depo family, I love you forever! (Kim, love you brother)

Congrats to everyone who raced, what a fun time it was together this weekend 🧡🫈🎣

#depostrong by @depaolerafoundation

3 DAYS OUT. 🫈

A HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, friends and family. Together, we have raised over $15,000 for the Matthew W. DePaolera Foundation in honor of Matt and in support of TEAM DEPO.

Your generosity allows us to honor Matt’s memory and to continue to support young families navigating relentless cancers. by @depaolerafoundation

Our Mission in Action: The Cotray Family 🧡

The Matthew W. DePaolera Memorial Foundation is honored to support the Cotray family, a local Kinnelon family facing the unimaginable.

Meet Jason, his wife Kerianne, and their children, Indy and Nova.

After years of battling cancer, enduring countless rounds of chemotherapy, surgeries, hospitalizations, and complications, Jason has now entered hospice care.

Through it all, one of Jason’s greatest dreams was to become a father. A dream he was able to fulfill despite everything this family has endured.

Behind every cancer diagnosis is a family whose entire world has been turned upside down. A family facing heartbreak, uncertainty, and a future they never imagined.

This is why our foundation exists. To stand beside young families like the Cotrays, ease some of the financial burden, and remind them they are not alone.

We are incredibly honored to support Jason, Kerianne, Indy, and Nova during this heartbreaking time.

Strength for today. Support for tomorrow. Lasting hope for young families. 🙏🏼 by @depaolerafoundation

TEAM DEPO runs deep. 🫈

This Sunday, 38 of us will stand at the starting line together. 38 runners, each with our own stories, challenges, and personal goals. But all united by one purpose: to honor Matt and keep his legacy alive.

Whether you’re tracking us, cheering us on along the course, or celebrating us from afar, know that your support means more than words can express.

This was never just about running 13.1 miles. It’s about showing up for something bigger than ourselves.

38 runners. 13.1 miles. One mission. 🫶🏼 by @depaolerafoundation

One week until 13.1. This was never really about running a half marathon. Over a year of unimaginable loss, heartbreak, and trying to figure out how to live a life I never wanted without the person I was supposed to grow old with. I needed to do something that felt impossible. Something so far outside my comfort zone. Something I never in a million years thought I could do.

Running became my outlet. A place where I could cry, breathe, think about Matt, or sometimes just shut my mind off completely. Every day of training has helped me find pieces of myself in a life that looks nothing like the one I had planned.

Every mile has been for Matt. For the life he should still be here living. For Miles and Stelly who should have their daddy here watching them grow. And for every family whose world has been shattered by cancer.

In one week, 38 of us will stand at that starting line, many of us who have never run a half, but all with the same purpose. Honoring Matt.

I would give anything to have him here instead of a reason to run in his memory. But since I can’t change our story, I will spend the rest of my life making sure his doesn’t end. by @depaolerafoundation

10 DAYS TO GO. 💙

We are officially in the final countdown to the Atlantic City Half Marathon, and I’m completely blown away by the support behind TEAM DEPO.

We set a goal of $10,000 and together, we’ve raised $14,588 for the Matthew W. DePaolera Memorial Foundation.

This has never been just about running 13.1 miles. It’s about honoring Matt, keeping his legacy alive, and turning our love for him into something that can help other young families facing the unimaginable.

10 more days. 13.1 miles. One incredible team. One very special reason. by @depaolerafoundation

2 WEEKS TO GO 🤍

So incredibly grateful for every runner, donor, sponsor, family member and friend who has shown up for Team Depo and supported a mission so deeply personal to us.

In two weeks, we run for Matt, for his legacy, and for every family we hope to help in his honor.

Every mile honors Matt. Every step changes a life. by @depaolerafoundation

ONE MONTH TO GO!

TEAM DEPO is officially one month out from 13.1 miles in Atlantic City! So grateful for every runner, sponsor, donor, and person cheering us on.

Every mile honors Matt. Every step changes a life.🧡 by @depaolerafoundation

A huge thank you to @lukecannarozzi @thehivescreenprinting for becoming an Official Gold Sponsor of Team DEPO 💛

Luke has been an incredible source of support. Helping create, design, and produce our Team DEPO Strong shirts at rapid speeds and bringing our vision to life every step of the way.

We are so grateful to have people like Luke behind us as we continue to honor Matt’s legacy and make every mile mean something. 🧡

Every mile honors Matt. Every step changes a life by @depaolerafoundation