On Sunday, November 13, Matthew Fertig, a Williamsburg resident completed a 120-mile run across Long Island to raise money for Everytown, a non-profit organization advocating for gun reform.
"I was a senior in high school when the Parkland shooting happened and know several people that lost friends and family that day," said Fertig. "Sadly, four years later, we have made little progress in the fight to prevent gun violence and mass shootings in this country."
So Fertig thought he'd do something about it. As a long distance runner, he decided that best way he could contribute would be by challenging himself, along with a challenge to the community to support his cause if he ran non-stop across New York's longest island.
Fertig began his trek in Flushing, Queens at 5:00am on Saturday, November 12, and completed it 37 hours later, at 6:00pm at the Montauk Point Lighthouse. He said more than 10 signed up to run at least one leg of the journey with him.
His fundraising goal is $15,000, and so far he's raised over $8,500.
"I am still hoping to spread the word on my initiative in order to reach my fundraising goal," Fertig said. "All donations go straight to Everytown." None to Fertig.
To make a donation to this Fertig's campaign for gun reform, go to his GoFundMe page here.
