COURTESY PHOTO
Peabody Police Sgt. Jim Harkins poses with his three children, Natalie, James and Rachel.
By DAVID WILSON
PEABODY — Peabody Police Sgt. Jim Harkins is quick to acknowledge he’s not a natural runner.
But on April 17, the 37-year-old father of three will tackle the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon; it’s a leap for someone who has only participated in half-marathons.
Something special will keep him pushing one foot in front of the other, he said: He’s running for Massachusetts-based charity Cops for Kids with Cancer.
As an official charity partner of the marathon, Cops for Kids with Cancer opens the race to those who may not have a fast enough qualifying time.
All Harkins needs to do to run, is raise $10,000 for the charity. As of Thursday night, he’s at $1,920.
Harkins, who has been with the Peabody Police Department for about 10 years, said that officers notify Cops for Kids with Cancer of a family that has a child with cancer. After a verification process, the charity provides families with $5,000; they can do whatever they like with the money.
The charity aims “to remove some financial burden so all their energies can go to helping their child beat cancer and live a healthy life,” says their website.
To help reach his fundraising goal, Harkins planned a chicken wing cook-off for Friday at the Holy Ghost Society, 20 Howley St. in Peabody. More than 15 restaurants from Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Peabody and Salem will be participating, he said.
Harkins said the restaurants will cook their chicken on their premises, and bring it to the facility. The cook-off begins at 6 p.m. and goes until all the wings are finished or “until everybody leaves,” he said.
Tickets are $25 at the door. Harkins said he has already sold 150, and hopes to sell an additional 100-200 Friday night.
Cook-off guests will turn in their tickets to receive a ballot. After tasting, they will vote on the top-three chicken wings. The winning restaurant will receive a certificate and, later, a trophy, Harkins said.
There will be about 35 raffles that cook-off guests can enter. Among the prizes are gift cards, gift baskets, electronics, and even firearm education classes for four, Harkins said.
There will also be a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia.
So, why chicken wings, one might want to ask Harkins. The self-described “buffalo-wing nut” explains, simply, they are his favorite food.
In fact, Harkins quickly says he has driven to Philadelphia just to try some extraordinary wings.
Wait; you repeat that to him: Philadelphia, just for wings?
He pauses. “I cannot confirm or deny that report,” he says with a laugh.
Visit https://copsforkidswithcancer.org/runners/jim-harkins/ to learn more about Harkins, or to donate toward his total.
David Wilson can be reached at [email protected].