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

The morning of April 21, 2013 dawned sunny but cold. It was perfect weather for the 4th Annual 5 Towns 5K Run/Walk to support Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans–Beit Halochem. This year’s event at North Woodmere Park attracted 635 registrants of all ages, who came to raise critical funds for FIDV, while also participating in a community athletic event. There were races for everyone, from tots to senior citizens, along with prizes for the winners. Most remarkably, the Fun Run had about 50 children laughing and racing.

Dr. Isaac Seinuk, the organizer of this annual fundraiser, commented, “This was the best year yet – we had about 100 more participants and a lively crowd of all ages. Truly this was a community coming out to support the Beit Halochem community in Israel. Our race helps to spread the word about Beit Halochem and the broad array of services it provides at the centers in Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva. And we raised a total of $30,000 of sponsorship funds!”

For all who attended, it was important that this was the greater 5 Towns community and friends reaching out to the 51,000 disabled Israeli servicemen and servicewomen injured during their active or reserve service, or due to acts of terror. Fittingly, as Dr. Seinuk noted, “My original goal was, and still is, to introduce Beit Halochem to people that have never heard of it.  And to do it in a way that parallels the philosophy of Beit Halochem: rehabilitation through sport. At the 5 Towns 5K we make people aware of Beit Halochem and FIDV through sport, running/walking 5 kilometers.”

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. Shalom Maidenbaum noted the increased participation, and the many young children there, too. “I am so glad that people came, ran, walked, and showed their support for FIDV, Beit Halochem and Israel.” For a complete list of sponsors, please click here.

Crossing the finish line first for the men was Tommy Pyon, with a time of 18:04.4; the first woman to finish was Gina Prinzevalli, 17th overall, with a time of 20:50.0. The complete results are available at www.start2finish.com. Just click on the 5Towns 5K picture there to see the results.

Encouraging the crowd was Ella Levine, National Executive Director of FIDV, who after she completed the 5K, thanked Dr. Seinuk for being the one to make this event happen each year. “On behalf of the board, staff and all FIDV friends – and the veterans we serve – I want to congratulate Dr. Seinuk and all of you here today on this very cold Sunday morning!  Today, the young and old, very young and very old, and all of us in between, have gathered strong in spirit and commitment. Today we are with the community, for the community, in the community, speaking English, Hebrew, even a bit of Russian among families and friends. Thank you all!”

“We hope to spread the word about the good – and absolutely necessary – work of FIDV-Beit Halochem,” Dr. Seinuk summed up. “We are glad to widen the circle of friendship and generosity, and to begin planning soon for the 5Towns Walk/Run 2014!”

If you and a group of friends would like to organize an event for FIDV-Beit Halochem, we will be glad to assist your planning and outreach. Please contact FIDV at 212-689-3220 or email us elevine@fidv.org. Together we can work miracles.

We would like to give special thanks to this year’s sponsors:

Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC
Abraham Roofing
Schwartz and Company, LLP
Pa-kua Long Island
Life Clubs
Lynn, Gartner, Dunne, and Covello, LLP
Gotta Getta Bage Cafe of Woodmere
Webscope Internet Services
The 5 Towns Jewish Times
The Jewish Star
Brach’s Supermarket
Squeezr Drinks
New York Foot and Ankle Institute
Expressions Cinema
Klearview Appliance
WSP Engineering Group
Glenny’s Snack Foods
Road ID
Distinctive Window Fashions
Jelly Belly
Karako Suits
Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns
Community Coalition of the Five Towns
Camp Seneca Lake
Chevra Hatzalah of the Five Towns and Rockaway.
The Haviv Family, The Skolnick Family, Hilsenrath Family, The Drayer Family, The Yager Family,
The Kellner Family, The Small Family, Young Israel of Woodmere, Danielle Mann, Shmuel Schumsky, and Ira Blumstein.

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