|
Sgt Eric Horton, USA displays his tenacious spirit in the race as Martin Giroux follows behind.
Hundreds of Veterans and Family Members Participate in Annual Run for the Warriors™ on Long Island
Long Island Run For The Warriors Race results
November 12, 2008 - On Sunday, November 9th, 2008, Hope For The Warriors™ hosted its first Long Island Run For The Warriors™ 5K
at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY. Over 450 participants including Veterans and their families attended this first annual race,
which hosted Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi as key note speaker. Also participating in the day’s events were ten wounded service
members, who were flown to New York by Hope For The Warriors™ as a special Veterans Day trip.
A special opening ceremony kicked off the race with local officials recognizing the wounded service members followed by local
school children presenting them with flags. Erin Deytiquez, a seventh grader at Clarke Middle School in Westbury, NY was also
recognized as the winner of the t-shirt design contest. Her artwork was the centerpiece for the race t-shirt. Spectators and runners
alike enjoyed pre-race activities such as the big bouncy house, video games, big screen TV’s and a special visit by Sparky the Dragon,
the Islander’s mascot.
Countless volunteers turned out to make the event possible, including Local 338, the presenting sponsor of the run; as well as
members of the Locust Valley Fire Department, Patriot Guard, Heaven Bound Skaters and local schools.
"The members of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW are incredibly honored and humbled to be here today," stated John R. Durso, President of
Local 338 and event mc. "It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the men and women and their families that have helped make this
country wonderful. I'm so proud that my local was a part of this event."
"We were thrilled that this community came out so strongly and supported our run and embraced our wounded service members,"
stated Tina Atherall, Hope For The Warriors Vice President. "We had close to 40 sponsors and raised over $40,000.00. We are so
grateful."
W.T. Clarke Middle School Shows Support to Wounded Service Members
"Clarke Cares” is the school motto at W.T. Clarke Middle School in Westbury, NY and students there have been doing just that.
Over the past few weeks students have been involved in supporting Hope for the Warriors™, a non-profit organization dedicated to
assisting wounded service members and their families.
Sixty students have registered to participate in the Hope for the Warriors™ 1st Annual 5k Run in Long Island on Sunday,
November 9th at Eisenhower Park. Thanks to Athletic Director Mrs. Janine Heilbronn along with Mrs. Stacy Breslin, school principal,
for encouraging the students to get out there and run for this great cause. Ten wounded service members from around the country
will also attend.
Students at Clarke Middle and High Schools also participated in the design of the Long Island 5k Race t-shirt. A contest was
held among the students with the objective being to design what “Hope Beyond Recovery” means to them. Congratulations go to 7th
grader, Erin Deytiquez who produced the winning design. Her drawing will don every participant’s shirt making this race t-shirt
especially prized.
Additionally, during School Spirit Week at Clarke Middle the student body was given the opportunity to donate one dollar in
exchange for the privilege of wearing a hat to school. This money will go directly to Hope for the Warriors™.
Clarke Middle School parent Ms. Barbara Aran, whose son Brandon is an 8th grader, said she is thrilled with the support
the school has shown. Her older son Stephen is currently serving in the USMC. "I am very proud to be a part of the W.T.
Clarke Community," Aran stated.
This was not a school sponsored event
| 
