George Gallego Completes NYC Marathon in Manual Wheelchair to Fund The Access Project Gym

George Gallego's NYC Marathon Mission

• 🏅 George Gallego, paralyzed since 1992, is participating in the TCS New York City Marathon using a manual wheelchair.
• 🎯 His primary goal is to raise funds for The Access Project, an organization dedicated to bringing the disability community and seniors together.
• 📣 Gallego expresses his love for the entire NYC Marathon course, appreciating the unique cheers from each of the five boroughs.

The Access Project: A Vital Community Hub

• 🏢 The Access Project is described as New York City's only completely accessible gym, founded to share athletic experiences with the disability community and seniors.
• 💔 The gym is facing eviction as its landlord sold the building, ending its lease five years early.
• 💰 The immediate fundraising goal is $250,000 to transition to a temporary space, with an ultimate aim of $6 million to secure a permanent, owned facility.
• ✨ For its members, The Access Project is more than a gym; it's a place for empowerment, personal growth, and mutual support.

Community and Future Hopes

• 🤝 Gallego emphasizes the importance of community, where members learn from each other's experiences and mistakes, and collectively push each other forward.
• 🌟 He finds profound satisfaction in mentoring others and witnessing them achieve their goals.
• ✅ Happy Update: George and The Access Project have signed a new lease and will be moving into a new home soon, though fundraising efforts continue for a permanent space.