New Hyde Park-Mineola Runners Club members met with Van Buren Buick GMC General Sales Manager Ken Willims, and Customer Service Manager Jody Krieger, at their dealership located at 2257 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park, to present a plaque in appreciation for being a long term sponsor of the club’s annual 8K race and community event. The Van Buren Buick GMC team also discussed ways to improve this year’s June 2 event. The Runners Club is especially grateful for Van Buren Buick GMC’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 U.S.A. Track & Field Long Island Division’s annual 8K Championship Race, which has individual and team scoring for USA T&F 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 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 Running Club as an outstanding organization for its dedication to LI racing and community service.
The 42nd Annual Championship 8K Race/Community Event on June 2 is 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.
