I never thought that I would have my own business on the Marathon route. I never thought that one day I would be hoisting my son on my shoulders to watch the runners go by. And I never thought, ever, that someone could do what was done on 4.16.13. I was on my way to Chicago airport, returning from a business trip when I received a text from a friend asking what was going on in Boston. I instantly had that same awful feeling I had at 911. It was disbelief and it was surreal. Here we are a year later and I still cant shake the chill of the actual event. What gives me hope are the survivors, the people that rushed in to help. What gives me hope is all the people that have donated time, money, love and care to the people that need it. What gives me joy is the strength of the human spirit, and the resilience we have to get back on our feet as a City and RUN STRONG. I laugh at the failure of these terrorist, that through such an awful act, our City, our County, Our World has become stronger. To see the survivors and their families rise up and overcome is so inspirational. I've wanted to do something to help, besides writing a check. I wasn't sure what it was until a customer of mine came in to my store looking to buy a marathon charm for her daughter, I would make the pendant and donate the money to the One Fund. I tweaked the design by adding my signature on the back and numbering them 1-118. I added 118 to the front for the 118th running and added the year 2014. In my mind this is the most important running of the Boston Marathon. This is the Marathon of all Marathons. I want to see this marathon more than any other. If I could I would stand at the finish line and hug every runner that makes it. I would find every runner that doesn't finish and thank them for trying. I don't want to be sad anymore when I think of Martin Richard, that little boy that represents all the innocence that life offers. I don't want to think that could have been me, or my son. I want to honor the memories of those lost and celebrate the victories of those that are overcoming so much. This pendant represents the strength of the human spirit and is my way of honoring that. My goal is to raise money for the One fund and other marathon related charities. This Design is for Boston, this is for hope. RUN STRONG Boston! - Gary Stucchi