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7 ways Boston is bouncing back after the bombings
Boylston Street reopens, runners show unprecedented interest in the 2014 Boston Marathon, and Americans open up their wallets
More than a week after two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon finish line, killing three people and injuring 264 others, the city is trying to return to normal. Complete closure may not come until after the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old suspect who may have confessed to the bombings from his hospital bed. Regardless, Boston is already bouncing back from the tragedy. Seven inspiring examples of how the city is getting back on its feet:
1. Boylston Street reopens to the public
On Wednesday morning, Boston police officers removed the barricades blocking off Boylston Street, officially reopening the site of the bombings to the public. Life is slowly trickling back to the area, reports The Boston Globe, with people coming to pay their respects and several businesses opening their doors for the first time in more than a week. Marathon Sports, where the first bomb struck, remains closed, but a sign standing on the freshly set concrete in front reads, "We are all Boston. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We will reopen soon."
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2. A woman who lost a foot in the bombing vows to complete the marathon next year
Adrianne Haslet-Davis was running the Boston Marathon with her husband, Air Force captain Adam Davis, when the bombs went off. The 32-year-old dance instructor woke up in the hospital to find out she had lost her entire left foot. That hasn't stopped her from vowing to get back on the race course, according to the The Boston Herald:
Yeah, having my foot blown off, that really sucks. But I can't wallow in woe is me.
I can't let some (expletive) come along and steal my whole life. So, I'll dance again. And next year, though I've never been a runner, yes, I plan to run the marathon. [Boston Herald]
3. Four little girls raise thousands for the family of 8-year-old bombing victim Martin Richard
When four little girls in Squantum, Mass., heard about Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy who died in the bombings, they decided to do something to honor him. So they set up a bake sale and lemonade stand. The goal was to raise money for Martin's family, including Martin's little sister, who lost a leg, and his mother, who is hospitalized with brain damage. While the 9- and 10-year-old girls expected to raise a few hundred dollars, one of the girls' mothers told Today that they have raised $3,000 and counting.
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4. Interest in the 2014 Boston Marathon is at an all-time high
Under normal circumstances, the Boston Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world. Now, more runners than ever are expected to apply for next year's race. Competitor reports that Google searches for the phrase "qualify for the Boston Marathon" are at an all-time high: Up to 20 times higher than at any point since 2008. It's extremely tough to qualify for the race, but Competitor editor-in-chief Brian Metzler speculates that marathon organizers could expand registration limits like it did during the Boston Marathon's 100th anniversary in 1996.
5. One Fund Boston raises $20 million for the victims in one week
In the aftermath of the bombings, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick set up One Fund Boston to raise money for the victims of the attacks. Only a week later the fund has hit $20 million, according to the Globe. Officials say that all of the money will go to the victims and their families, with no cash going to administrative costs. More than 50,000 individuals have donated, with around $15 million of the fund coming from 60 corporate donors.
But donations are still very much needed. "It's not a lot of money when you look at the nature of the injuries, the number of injuries," Kenneth R. Feinberg, who also oversaw funds for the victims of 9/11 and the Virginia Tech shootings, told the Globe. Donations are being accepted until Labor Day.
6. Red Sox slugger David Ortiz shows his NSFW love for Boston
Boston loves the Red Sox. So when one of the team's biggest stars, David Ortiz, a.k.a. Big Papi, took to the microphone before the Red Sox' first home game since the bombing, people went crazy. Ortiz's message to the fans: "This is our fucking city."
Instead of getting angry, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski tweeted, "David Ortiz spoke from the heart at today's Red Sox game. I stand with Big Papi and the people of Boston." Here, footage of the infamous shout-out (heart-warmingly NSFW):
7. Boston and Waco hospitals exchange pizza and barbecue
When an explosion hit a fertilizer plant in West, Texas on April 17, killing 15 people and injuring at least 200, Dr. Chris Kabrhel of Massachusetts General Hospital sent pizza to the medical staff at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco, Texas to thank them for their hard work, according to ABC News. This despite the fact that Kabrhel's own hospital had just taken in 29 victims from the Boston Marathon bombings. To return the favor to Kabrhel, Trace Arnold, who owns a barbecue joint Frisco, Texas, sent five coolers full of ribs to Kabrhel and his staff.
Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.
