About the Meal Milers
WCK acts with the urgency of now. We are first to the frontlines providing fresh meals to families impacted by crises worldwide. To highlight the work of the people that fuel our efforts—staff, partners, volunteers—a group of new and experienced runners has come together to represent WCK in the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. Together, known as WCK’s Meal Milers, this group from all backgrounds has set personal fundraising goals to support WCK’s work. Learn more about our relief efforts here.
Meet the Runners
Micaela Choo
Micaela began her marathon journey as a charity runner during the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming to become a healthier version of herself and add meaning to her miles. She works as a performance marketing manager and co-leads the Women in Leadership employee resource group at Progressive Leasing. Throughout her marathon journey, Micaela has combined her love for running with her passion for creating delicious food by sharing meals with the Indigenous runners she mentors and her husband coaches. She is running the NYC Marathon for WCK to highlight the power of food in bringing nourishment, comfort, and hope to communities in need. As the first marathon runner in her family, Micaela runs for Trinidad and Tobago to honor her ancestors, who were indentured laborers from India and immigrants from China.
Natalie Shammas
Natalie was introduced to WCK in 2020 after seeing our response to a devastating port explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, where her family is from. It was around this time, in the midst of Covid-related shutdowns, that she also began running longer distances, helping her feel as if she’s moving forward when the world was seemingly put on hold. Since then, she has run several half-marathons and marathons, with the 2024 NYC Marathon being her third full marathon!
Zachary Fuchs
Zachary is a lawyer who started running in law school just to get outside. Originally from the Washington, DC area, Zachary has spent the past year working in Phoenix, exploring the Southwest, and running with his local run club. The 2024 New York City Marathon will be his first marathon. Zachary is excited for the race, and especially to run on behalf of WCK.
Julia Matteson
Julia was first introduced to Chef José Andrés and WCK during her undergraduate years at George Washington University, where she focused on food policy and sustainable food systems. Since then, Julia has continued to pursue her passion for food and nutrition, working both domestically and internationally. She is excited to be running her first marathon in support of WCK’s food relief efforts.
Augie Gramaglia
Augie is a committed distance runner with a passion for trail running and ultramarathons. He loves sharing the experience with his young kids, along with the sense of accomplishment that comes from achieving things that feel impossible. That’s why he is especially proud to be running the NYC Marathon to support WCK. Augie lives with his family in the Bay Area and is the Vice-President of Marketing at Nike Sports Camps.
Dave Rizo
Dave is originally from San Antonio, Texas and is the chef and co-owner of Yellow Rose in the East Village of New York City. Dave has been a cook for most of his adult life and currently resides in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn with his wife and business partner Krystiana along with their two rescue cats, Blaze and Townes. In his free time, Dave enjoys walking around aimlessly, collecting way too many hobbies, and trying to be good at being a human.
Support the Meal Milers
- Donate to a Meal Miler. Each runner has set a fundraising goal to support WCK’s work—fuel their efforts here.
