The New Hyde Park-Mineola Runners Club met with DIME Community Bank’s Robert Bingold and Mervin Blackmore at their branch located at 2401 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park, to present a plaque in appreciation for being a long term sponsor of the Runners Club’s annual 8K race and community event.
The DIME team discussed plans for improving this year’s event on June 2, and to participate as well. The Runners Club is especially grateful for DIME Community Bank’s generous sponsorship and help, without which the 8k, children’s fun run and community event, would not be nearly as successful each year.
The Runners Club is a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to improving their community, and organizes the USA Track & Field Long Island Division’s annual 8K Championship Race, which has individual and team scoring for USA Track & Field members. Sponsorship monies support the annual race event, as well as charity based community organizations.
The club’s main charity is the Nassau County Firefighter Operation Wounded Warrior program, which provides benefits beyond what the military and VA offers, to wounded soldiers and veterans throughout Long Island, as well as at Walter Reid, Camp Lajune, and Fort Bragg. This exceptional 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.
Computer pads are especially critical for doctors and specialists to upload health information, to be portable as soldiers are moved from one location to another — patient history, prescriptions, treatment, appointments, therapy and medication schedules. This January, the Club donated $4,000 to this vital organization, approximately $40,000 to date. To learn more about the firefighter program and how you can help, contact the program’s president, Joe O’Grady, at 516-462-4617.
The Runners Club supports local Boy Scout Troops 298 and 544. Scouts who volunteer receive credit for community service, and the club donates 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, at no fee or a reduced fee.
In 2018, the Town of North Hempstead recognized the New Hyde Park-Mineola Runners Club as an outstanding organization for its dedication to LI racing and community service.
The 42nd Annual LI Championship 8K race and community event on June 2 will take place at the Denton Avenue Elementary School, 1050 Denton Ave. in New Hyde Park. 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 at www.newhydeparkrunners.com.
