(Photo by Stephen Takacs)
The 7th annual Garden City Teachers’ Association (GCTA) GC for a Cure 5K and 1-Mile event was a huge success on April 16.
The event began when teachers, administrators, students, parents, community members and local merchants packed the Garden City High School cafeteria on Friday, bringing with them more than 40 donated raffle baskets, each valuing well over $100. Excited volunteers began registration and distributed T- shirts. Team Calvert students sold the handcrafted bracelets and delicious homemade cupcakes they made. Pre-race pasta meals were sold to all participants, courtesy of La Bottega with preparations for the race clearly underway.
Soon after daybreak on that early Saturday morning, energetic and enthusiastic volunteers continued to implement the year-long plans, orchestrated by the GC Race for a Cure Committee’s director Kerry Calvert. Special thanks goes to Kevin Coffey, Bob Priest, Ken Aneser and all of the Turkey Trot board members whose support for the race was greatly appreciated. Cheerful volunteers were busy hanging signs, assembling the start and finish lines, displaying balloons and organizing food, crafts, face painting, raffle and award tables. Energetic helpers inside continued registration and organized the kite-decorating activity. Everyone welcomed the excited, event participants. Enthusiastic students sold baked goods, candy and GC Race for a Cure memorabilia.
Marchhart
The atmosphere was electric. Walter Levchuck’s dedication to this event is unprecedented—he was busy throughout the year selling car magnets and holiday ornaments and is considered the GC for a Cure’s number one volunteer.
Walkers and runners welcomed the beautiful weather and participated in the event in honor of loved ones and/or to raise funds for cancer awareness. Saturday’s event attracted more than 1,000 participants, which included runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers. Although everyone walked away a winner from this spectacular event, special congratulations go to the following runners whose top times were recorded by Just Finish:
Female Category
1. Lauryn Heskin Floral Park 17:32 **
2. Michelle Ciquera East Atlantic Beach 20:02
3. Kristin Reese Uniondale 20:14
** Lauryn Heskin broke the World Record for her age group.
Male Category
1. Jossi Fritz-Mauer Flushing 16:20
2. Patrick Quinlan Floral Park 17:28
3. Trevor Marchhart Garden City 17:31
More than $20,000 was raised from this year’s race and as it continues to grow, so does the number of organizations benefiting from the proceeds. Donations will go to The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lung Cancer Research Foundation and The Michele White Scholarship Fund. In addition, the funds Calvert’s students raised will be used to purchase a brick to support the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the help and support of all those who participated and volunteered throughout the year: planning, preparing, advertising and fundraising. The Garden City Teachers’ Association would like to thank their sponsors: Bellissima Photography; Crossfit Garden City; Daniel Gale Sothebys, The Donnelly Group; The Founders Group at Morgan Stanley; Hint Water; Jonathan’s American Bar and Grill; La Bottega; The McKay Family; Patriot Supply; Rialto Restaurant; South Shore Tri Coach; Events; The UPS Store of Garden City; Visual Sounds; Walter Levchuck and Team Calvert too.
This annual event’s success is a result of the continued support from the Garden City Public Schools, The Village of Garden City, The Garden City Police Department and The Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corp. The Garden City PTA, SEPTA, and The GCREA all manned crucial water/cheering stations at three separate areas along the course. Special appreciation goes to all those who live on the race course for their continued support. Special thanks this year goes to the Francis Skinner who graciously supplied the race with electricity from her home to power the microphone and sound system. As a result, Team Calvert students started the event by beautifully singing The Star Spangled Banner.
The overwhelming generosity and participation of the Garden City Community members made this event a huge success. All were united together to support a great cause that will make a difference in the fight against cancer.
For those who weren’t able to make the event and want to contribute, go to www.GCforacure.com.
