5 Towns 5K Run/Walk Raises Critical Funds to Help Disabled Veterans.

On the windy morning of April 27, 2014, an enthusiastic group of people ranging in ages from infancy to 95 years old, gathered to participate in the 5th Annual 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk to support Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans–Beit Halochem. The annual fundraising event at North Woodmere Park attracted more than 500 registrants of all ages, who came to support services for disabled veterans and survivors of terror attacks in Israel by raising funds while having fun.

Dr. Isaac Seinuk, organizer of the Annual 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk was pleased to have such a warm and enthusiastic crowd, a crowd that included many children. “I am happy to see this show of support, this concern for our 50,000 men and women during their active or reserve service, or due to acts of terror. The compassionate link between 5 Towns and Israel is as strong as ever. I am proud of all of you for coming and helping. Thank you!”

This annual community event spreads the word about Beit Halochem’s rehabilitation centers in Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva. From individualized therapies to family activities to sports training and challenges, Beit Halochem offers a broad array of services, and a healing community.

There were races for everyone, from tots to senior citizens, along with prizes for the winners. Crossing the finish line first for the men was Dmitriy Krasney, 30, of far Rockaway, with a time of 18:38.7; the first woman to finish was Stephanie Greenberg, 20, of Cedarhurst 13th overall, with a time of 21:13.8. In the oldest bracket of participants – 75 – 79 years of age – the male winner was Carlos Morales, 79, of Corona with a time of 33:04.3, and the top female was Irene Hizme, 76, of Oceanside, with a time of 30:27.2.

The youngest winners were Jake Greenberg, 14, of Cedarhurst (21:15.3) and Rivky Klein, 12, from far Rockaway (26:02.0) in the “1 to 14 Age Group”.

The complete results are available at www.start2finish.com. Just click on “Five Towns 5 Kilometer Run – April 27” to see the results.To see still photographs of the 2014 Annual 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk, you can view and download pictures from here . There is also a video of the Walk/Run if you click here .

“Our community-oriented walk/run is a chance for everyone to lend a hand, Dr. Seinuk commented. “I particularly want to thank our main sponsor, Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC, and Iris and Shalom Maidenbaum. Even before there was a 5Towns 5K, Shalom agreed to be the event sponsor when he learned that Beit Halochem helps disabled Israeli veterans, and serves all the different segments of Israeli society. He had a vision of what this event could become for FIDV-Beit Halochem and as a unifying event for the whole 5 Towns community, “Seinuk continued. “His continued support for Beit Halochem and the 5 Towns 5k has made it a premier event for an Israeli cause in the entire metro New York area.”

Bagels, bananas and other finish line food were provided by Gotta Getta Bagel Café, Brach’s, and Sqeez’r, among many other local businesses that contributed. As in years past, Maidenbaum Property Tax Reductions was the major sponsor. For a complete list of sponsors, please click here .

The Young Israel of Woodmere is among our biggest Annual 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk sponsors and also had the largest total number of participants from any group. Rabbi Billet, the Rabbi of YIW, on a related note, visited Beit Halochem this past year and accepted a plaque on behalf of all the participants and sponsors of the 5 Towns 5K, which was placed on the Wall of Honor.

Congratulations are in order to everyone who came, participated and raised funds for FIDV-Beit Halochem, and a very special thank you to Dr. Seinuk for his commitment to making this happen each year. As Dr. Seinuk reminded us all at the closing ceremonies, “Save the date – April 26, 2015 – for next year’s 5Towns Walk/Run. Hope to see you there!”