On Sunday, hundreds of people ran, jogged and walked their way across Sands Point for Helen’s 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults.
“I had the pleasure of guiding one of our deaf-blind interns, we went together, and it was a beautiful morning,” said Susan Ruzenski, the executive director for the Helen Keller National Center.
Ruzenski said that over 400 people participated in the 5K along with 140 volunteers. The race started at 9:30 a.m. at the Sands Point Preserve. Participants went down Middle Neck Road, through the neighborhood and back to finish at the Helen Keller National Center, where awards were given out and refreshments were served.
This marked the 21st year that the race was held.
More than $46,000 was raised by the event, which goes to fund the center’s programs and initiatives, including housing in Port Washington for several deaf-blind individuals.
“It was a great success,” Ruzenski said. A spokesman for the center said that additional funds were still coming in and that donations were being accepted at helensrunwalk.kintera.org.
In attendance were several local officials, including state Sen. Elaine Phillips (R-Flower Hill), state Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso and his wife, and Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio.
