In 2023, Donnie Holmes became a caregiver to his wife, Chrissy, after her amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis, inspiring his colleagues and friends at NorthEast Electrical to form a running group to raise funds for ALS research at Massachusetts General Hospital. Calling themselves Chrissy’s Crew, they applied for the Boston 5K, and they have now proudly participated in the race for four years as a fundraiser.
Last fall, in October 2025, Chrissy passed away from complications from ALS. Despite this profound loss, the team members say they remain determined to carry her legacy forward.
For the April 2026 race, teammates Chris Connery, Tony Fernandes, Julia Gehman, Shawn Glidden, Wilson Gomes, Andrew Mani, Shealyn Sears, Brian Shea, and David Zelandi raised $9,800 for the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS.
Team leader Andrew Mani says, “Every donation directly strengthens groundbreaking research and compassionate care to ensure that families facing ALS, like the Holmes family, receive the resources, advancements, and hope they need. Ever since forming this team, our mantra and inspiration has been ‘We run to make ALS done.’”
Over the past four years, the team has raised more than $45,000 total for ALS research.
To start your own fundraiser to benefit a cause important to you, please visit our community fundraising page or contact fundraise@mgb.org.
