Hi! I am raising money to support Ladder Up for the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and would appreciate you considering donating to help me achieve my fundraising goal! This will be my first marathon (or any race beyond a 5K!). I am thrilled to partner with a great organization like Ladder Up to raise some funds by running now that I have turned 30 and need to make running a major part of my personality.

Ladder Up is a non-profit organization that offers a range of free financial services and education to help low-income individuals in Chicago's vibrant communities move up the economic ladder. As a provider of free tax services, tax legal assistance, and financial education, Ladder Up serves as a trusted and reliable partner to individuals and families on their journey to financial stability. I have volunteered with Ladder Up's Tax Assistance Program for the last four years and have left each volunteer shift with newfound appreciation for the depth and breadth of the impact that the organization has on the communities it operates in. Over its 30-year history, Ladder Up has served 813,000 individuals, prepared 659,500 tax returns, returned over $1.1 billion in refunds to the community, and secured an estimated $414 million in financial aid. Learn more about Ladder Up and how to join our impact here. 

Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in helping us reach our goal. Your generosity can provide deserving communities with the resources they need to move up the economic ladder—resources such as their Tax Assistance Program, Tax Clinic and Financial Capability Program.

Here's how you can be part of this journey:

1. Visit my fundraising page: https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/will-pretto
2. Click on the "Donate" button and choose an amount that feels right for you.
3. Share this message with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful difference. If you have any questions or would like more information on my marathon process, Ladder Up or anything else, feel free to reach out! 

-Will