DIME Community Bank’s Robert Bingold and Mervin Blackmore presented a check for $500 to support the New Hyde Park-Mineola Runners Club’s 42nd Annual 8K Race and Community Event that is scheduled for June 2. DIME, located at 2401 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park, is a longtime, generous sponsor of this yearly event.
The Runners Club is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to improving their community, and organizes the USA Track & Field Long Island Division 8K Championship Race, which has individual and team scoring for USA. Track & Field members can then go on to qualify for other USA regional and national track competitions. Monies raised by the club support their annual race, and local charities and organizations.
The club’s main charity is the Nassau County Firefighter Operation Wounded Warrior program, which provides benefits beyond what the military and VA provide to wounded soldiers and veterans throughout Long Island, as well as at Walter Reid, Camp Lajune, and Fort Bragg.
This program is run by volunteer firefighters and participating fire departments throughout Nassau County. In December, the program delivered 60 IPads, 10 PCs, and two packed U-Hauls to these military bases. In January, the Runner’s Club donated $4,000 to this vital organization, comprising a total of approximately $40,000 to date. To learn more about the firefighter program and how you can help, contact Joe O’Grady at 516-462-4617.
The club also supports local Boy Scout Troops 298 and 544. Scouts who volunteer at the annual race and community event receive credit for community service and the club donates race proceeds to their troops. The club also supports para- and special needs athletes — the club is working to expand and fund a greater program to allow more para- athletes to participate and compete.
In 2018, the Town of North Hempstead recognized the NHP-Mineola Running Club as an outstanding organization for its dedication to Long Island racing and community service.
The club’s 42nd Annual Championship 8K Race/Community Event on June 2 takes place at the Denton Avenue Elementary School. For information on how to become a sponsor, volunteer, and to learn about the club, contact Harold Axelrod at bcshja@msn.com or Stephen Cipot at Stephenjcipot@hotmail.com.
Visit the club’s website https://www.newhydeparkrunners.com
