InterVol holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of the main charitable organizations in which I invest through my family’s foundation, The Palmier Foundation. When I saw that the Marine Corps Marathon selected InterVol as one of its Charity Partners this year, I knew I had to run it. I’ll get to help out a dear friend, raise money for an organization I believe in, and on top of that, I’ll finally get to run in the Marine Corps Marathon. I’ve personally pledged for myself and the rest of our running team to raise $26,200 for InterVol—a rate of $1,000 a mile. We have 100 days to make this happen, and I know we can do it.
My friend and Notre Dame colleague Dr. Ralph Pennino founded InterVol in the late ‘80s after observing a desperate need for medical supplies while doing his own volunteer work in developing nations. The good InterVol does can be seen worldwide.
We could simply donate money to InterVol and skip the grueling 26.2 mile race, but where’s the fun in that? I’ve always wanted to participate in the Marine Corps Marathon, and this year I’ll finally get a chance. It’s called “The People’s Marathon,” and it’s in the spirit of what we do at the Palmier Foundation.
They say that those who run in this marathon can’t help but be overcome by patriotism, and I’m eager to get out there and run with the Marines past all the memorials in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
To prepare, I’ve been cross training. I believe that if I build up my muscles they will act accordingly. Instead of pressuring my body to log all the miles, I’m building my body to handle the miles when they come. To achieve this, my InterVol training includes yoga in the mornings to protect my joints and stretch my muscles, as well as weekly visits to the chiropractor to keep everything aligned. Along with my trainer, I’m doing strength conditioning workouts with weights and resistance bands. Of course, I’m also taking runs around Boston, but not too long a distance.
October 22 will be a momentous day for me. It’ll be my seventh marathon (I’ve run five in Boston and one in New York). It’s 2017. The number seven holds a lot of significance to me—it’s more than just luck, it’s a biblical number symbolizing divine perfection and completeness, which I find inspiring. Raising funds for InterVol aligns with the mission of the Palmier Foundation, where we believe serving others is divine, and that giving is not a choice, it’s an obligation.
Teamwork is a core value in my business, so my entire team at UC Funds is getting involved in raising money for the cause. I believe in promoting physical fitness in the workplace; it’s incredible for morale and team spirit. Working together for a common goal energizes us and brings us closer together—and as a bonus, helps us work harder for our clients, too.
Daniel Palmier is founder, CEO, and President of Boston-based UC Funds and is also the founder of The Palmier Foundation. He has been in the real estate business for over 25 years, as investment manager, owner, developer, and financier.