A local marine who served in Iraq is training for a new mission. Corporal Neil Schalk is one of 35,000 runners competing in this weekend's Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. But, the 20-year-old isn't just in it to win it.

Neil is lacing up his shoes to help his fellow Marines still overseas by raising money for care packages.

Neil served in Iraq last year for 4-months. But, his tour of duty was cut short in November when his unit hit an explosive device. The blast severely injured Neil's hands. He lost two fingers on his right hand and his left hand is permanently damaged. But, now, 12 operations later, the purple heart recipient is moving forward.

"Being that it is the Marine Corps Marathon and that I am a Marine, that's pretty cool, but knowing that I'm helping to raise lots of money to send over care packages and I know what it's like over there, so that's the exciting part," says Schalk.

Neil is part of a team looking to raise $22,000, which is enough money to put together 1,000 care packages for Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You can help Neil's cause by sending a donation to the address below:
MarineParents.com, Inc.
Attn: Marathon Team 2006
PO Box 1115
Columbia, MO 65205-1115

Neil hopes to finish Saturday's 26.2 mile run in under four hours. We'll let you know how he does on NBC 15 News.