Helen Keller Walk/Run Fun

Early on Sunday morning, April 19, runners and walkers came together at the Sands Point Preserve to get their numbers and T-shirts to participate in the annual Helen’s Run/Walk. The weather was perfect for a brisk walk or run though the beautiful trails of Sands Point. Mary Hayes of Manhasset was there at 6:30 a.m. to organize the volunteers. Click here for photos of Helen’s Walk/Run 2015.
This year, over 320 participants entered the event, with 117 registering the day of the event to support people who live with a combined vision and hearing loss. “To date, we have raised over $33,000,” said Marina N. Carroll, development officer for Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths & Adults. The proceeds of the event go to the renovation of the facility.
Miss New York Elena Estrada was one of the walkers on hand that morning. The Miles for Megan team was there to participate and had purple shirts made to honor the memory of Megan Bookstaver.
“She was an amazing and beautiful woman who cared deeply for the people and animals that she came into contact with,” said team captains Lori Bookstaver (Megan’s mom, a development associate for HKNC) and Jennifer Jenkins, Megan’s cousin. Megan’s life was tragically cut short in September 2013. Born and raised in Hicksville, Megan graduated from Hicksville High School in 2008, working for several years at the Woodbury Road Veterinary Hospital in Plainview. She was an honors student and senior at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry at the time of her death.
“Her joy and excitement for life lives on through each and every one of us,” said Jenkins. “We are excited to be able to celebrate Megan’s life and support a cause that impacts our community.”
The Manhasset-Port Washington Kiwanis Club, as well as a number of organizations, volunteered and assisted at the event by handing out water and giving directions.
A number of Manhasset runners came in the top three in their age category including Nicole Yarrington, Kenar Hartunian, Emily Kearns and Stephan Haratunian.
The race was supervised by Start to Finish Corp., based in Long Beach, Long Island.