James Caldwell HS Vice Principal John Bertollo to Run January Marathon for Team ASPCA

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 10:36pm

Credit: John Bertollo

WEST CALDWELL, NJ - In January, James Caldwell High School Vice Principal John Bertollo will find himself in a warm place for a good cause. Bertollo is presently training to run his first marathon in Orlando, Florida, with the aim of benefiting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). For years, Bertollo has been running competitively in an array of different races and has competed in several 5Ks, 10Ks, and four half marathons. 

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"I've run races in New Jersey, New York, Florida,
and California," Bertollo explained.
"I enjoy running, but I also like running for a cause
and bringing awareness to those in need. 
In August, 2013, when I competed in my first half-marathon,
my wife, Chrissy, and I raised over $2,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
As an educator, I felt that was the right organization to raise money for."

Make-a-Wish is the well-known philanthropic organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

This coming year, Bertollo has decided to work to benefit the ASPCA when he competes in the "Dopey Challenge" at Walt Disney World. The January race will be Bertollo's first time taking on a full-scale endeavor. The race, which is named after one of the Seven Dwarves featured in Walt Disney's classic Snow White, is considered challenging because it consists of a 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon on four consecutive days, totaling 48.6 miles.
All of the funds raised will be given to the ASPCA.

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Credit: John Bertollo

Donations Welcomed
Bertollo has a personal goal he has set for himself to raise $1,200 to donate to the ASPCA. The monies raised will help the ASPCA continue to provide local and national leadership in three key areas:

• caring for pets and pet parents
  
• providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals
  
• serving victims of animal cruelty
  

Anyone interested in making a contribution to Bertollo's team may do so online here. 

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"As I thought about a cause to run for," detailed Bertollo, "I looked at my
five-year-old Shih Tzu named Gia and thought about those animals in need.
I researched and found that the ASPCA has a running team
for several specific running events and I also found out that,
every 60 seconds, an animal is abused. 
I was shocked and appalled and wanted to raise money so that the
ASPCA can continue doing all of the great things they do to fight animal cruelty.  Running 48.6 miles is not an easy task,
but it's worth it if even one animal can be rescued."

Credit: John Bertollo

"I am raising money to help the ASPCA," Bertollo stated.
"Although I am an educator and I love children (and now have one of my own),
I also have a love for animals (especially my baby, Gia)
and wanted to help impact them as well.
If anyone feels inclined, they can donate to my Team ASPCA account.
The ASPCA is very important to me and I appreciate the help
as we fight to end animal cruelty, homelessness and neglect. 
Please support me by making a donation and
help me make a positive impact in the lives of animals living in my community.
Any donation would be appreciated. Thank you"

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend their anti-cruelty mission across the country, they are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. The ASPCA is a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

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