See below for our interview with Hailey Caruso, a Staten Island native who donated her Citizens Bank Miles that Matter Award to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, where it will help four homeless veterans to be provided with stable housing:
Five New Yorkers, one from each borough, have been named 2026 Citizens Miles That Matter Award recipients.
Each honoree will direct a $20,000 grant, from Citizens, to an NYRR Official Charity Partner, totaling a $100,000 commitment to local organizations.
The Citizens Miles That Matter contribution will help New York Road Runners reach their goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, in honor of the programs 20th anniversary in 2026.
Recipients will run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as part of Team Citizens.
The program connects each honoree’s marathon journey with a local cause, nonprofit partner and borough-level story.
The 2026 awards recognize the 50th anniversary of the marathon’s iconic five-borough course by highlighting community impact across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
“New York is defined by the people who show up for their neighbors, strengthen their communities and inspire others to get involved,” said Rebecca O’Connell, New York Metro Market President at Citizens. ““The five recipients of this year’s Citizens Miles That Matter Award embody that spirit through their advocacy and leadership, and as part of Citizens’ longstanding commitment to New York City and the communities we serve, we are proud to recognize individuals who make a meaningful difference every day. Through their commitment and service, they represent the best of their boroughs as they help move New York forward both on and off the racecourse.”
New York Road Runners, the nonprofit that “runs” New York and produces 60 annual adult and youth races, has an Official Charity Partner Program to that gives organizations the opportunity to offer guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon for athletes who fundraise on their behalf.
“The TCS New York City Marathon has always been about more than 26.2 miles. It’s about bringing people together in support of something bigger than themselves,” said Christine Burke, Chief Commercial Officer, New York Road Runners. “As we work toward our goal of raising $100 million through the Official Charity Partner Program in honor of the program’s 20th anniversary, we’re proud to partner with Citizens on the second annual Miles That Matter Award to recognize five remarkable New Yorkers who embody the transformative power of running.”
2026 Citizens Miles That Matter Award Recipients
In order of their respective boroughs position on the TCS New York City Marathon Course Map
Born and raised in Staten Island, Hailey uses her running journey to give back to the local community that shaped her. As the daughter of a FDNY firefighter who served on 9/11, Hailey began running in high-school and has continued to fundraise for causes that are deeply personal to her. Hailey is running in support of Tunnel To Towers to honor the legacy of first responders and their families who carry that impact. Tunnel To Towers will use the $20,000 grant to provide stable housing and access to supportive services to approximately 4 veterans experiencing homelessness through the National Case Management Network.”
Hailey running. Image Credit – Hailey Caruso
Miraj Mehta, Brooklyn
Miraj believes in building community and opportunity through running. In Crown Heights, Miraj believes in creating welcoming entry points for those who may not view themselves as runners, including immigrants and adult beginners. Miraj is running in support of Beginning with Children, a Brooklyn based organization dedicated to providing children with greater access to education, resources, and opportunity. Beginning with Children, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing educational and career opportunities to young people from traditionally under-resourced communities, will use the $20,000 grant to expand the Legacy Network’s Career Readiness Initiative, delivering workforce readiness programming to 40 students and paid internships to 15, with 90% expected to report greater confidence in their professional skills.
Dan Paparelli, Queens
A pediatric ICU nurse, Dan uses running to support the children and families he serves day-to-day. Inspired by those he cares for, Dan uses every mile to honor the resilience of his patients and their communities. Dan is running in support of The Floating Hospital, a Queen’s based organization whose mission is to deliver healthcare and critical support services to underserved children and improve long-term health outcomes for vulnerable families across New York City. The Floating Hospital will use the $20,000 grant to support Camp Rise Up, providing 100 homeless teens with financial literacy, career exploration, and year-round mentoring, with 85% expected to demonstrate improved workforce readiness and 75% returning to the program.
Alliyah Logan, The Bronx
Alliyah connects her global advocacy work to her Bronx roots through running. Through her work with Cultivate Global Education and UNICEF, she has advanced girls’ education and well-being and now uses running to build local awareness around these issues. After beginning her running journey in 2025, Alliyah quickly progressed to her first half marathon and now shares the lessons she has learned about focus, resilience and trusting your own path with students. Alliyah is running in support of Girls Inc. of New York City, an organization that empowers girls and young women through education, leadership development and wellness programs. Girls Inc. of New York City will use the $20,000 grant to advance their Her Future program, delivering financial literacy to 35 students and career readiness activities to more than 100 others, with an expected 80% to build lasting wealth. build lasting wealth through setting personal financial goals.
Ann Duong, Manhattan
After moving somewhere new every year for a decade, Ann found her first true sense of home in New York City through running. It helped her explore Manhattan, meet people and discover ways to give back. Inspired by those experiences, she founded Volunteering Untapped NYC, which brings volunteers together through monthly service projects supporting local nonprofits. Ann is running in support of City Harvest, an organization that rescues and delivers nutritious food to New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. City Harvest will use the $20,000 grant to fuel food rescue from grocers, manufacturers, food retailers, and distribution to more than 400 soup kitchens, food pantries, Mobile Markets, and community partners across the five boroughs, providing nutritious food directly to New Yorkers facing food insecurity in the city’s highest-need neighborhoods.
Citizens’ Commitment to New York City
Since expanding into the New York City metro area in 2022, through the acquisitions of HSBC’s East Coast branches and New Jersey-based Investors Bank, Citizens has grown its presence in the city across business lines. The bank has approximately 200 branches in the Tri-State Metro area and has seen top-quartile household and deposit growth in the most competitive market in the country. In 2025, the bank opened its first New York Private Banking office providing holistic high-touch client service to high-net-worth individuals, families and businesses in the market.
Staten Islander News Service Staff Writer
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