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Community Corner

Working Up an Appetite for Thanksgiving

The Townwide Fund of Huntington's Annual Thanksgiving Day Race and Fun Run

While most people are dreaming of turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day, hundreds of runners of every age and ability will be gathering at the in Halesite to participate in the Annual Thanksgiving Day 4 Mile Race and 1K Fun Run.

The Townwide Fund of Huntington is approaching its 50th anniversary of helping its member agencies raise money to help residents of Huntington through some difficult times. The Thanksgiving Day Run has become one of their most successful fundraising events. Last year they raised close to $23,000 with over 1,300 runners crossing the finish line.

If running on Thanksgiving Day (or any day) is not your thing, you can sign up as a "Virtual Runner" to make a donation to the Townwide Fund and save your energy for the dinner table.

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People have many reasons for participating in this event, whether it's a physical reminder to keep their healthy habits during the holidays or a way to work up their appetite for Thanksgiving dinner. "This is the perfect way to start Thanksgiving." according to Townwide Fund President Jim Powers. "It's a fun day out with family and friends and your charitable donation goes to those in need in the Huntington community."

This year, a local Boy Scout troop has organized a group that will run in support of James Byler, a 2003 graduate of Huntington High School and son of Northport High School science teacher Janet Byler, who earned his Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout in Huntington Troop 78, and who has more recently been awarded the Purple Heart. Last month, while the Marine Corps lieutenant was stationed in Afghanistan, he stepped on an IED, resulting in the loss of both of his legs. Presently, he is in Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland being treated for his wounds and has been through numerous surgeries.

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The group, including current scouts and alums - some of whom became Eagle Scouts with Byler in 2003 - and lots of family of friends, chose Thanksgiving to show support for Byler and his family and to raise funds.

Meredith Russo, owner of The Flower Petaler in Huntington, will be running in place of her brother, an active member of the U.S. Navy who was in the same Scout troop as Byler as a kid and who won't be on Long Island for Thanksgiving to participate himself.

Her brother is Ensign James Russo, United States Navy and fellow Eagle Scout.
He is stationed in Florida at the Pensacola Naval Base.

She said she is running because 'I am extremely proud of my brother and his devotion to this country. I am running in part on his behalf because while he is organizing his own support for James Byler in Pensacola, he is unable to be here to participate. And I am also running as a display of sincere gratitude for what James Byler has sacrificed so that we all may continue to live free and comfortably."

Donations can be sent to Russo at The Flower Petaler, 550 New York Avenue, Huntington NY 11743. Checks should be made out to "Boy Scout Troop 78." She can be reached at 631-741-6221 for more information or to find out how you can make a contribution, which can either be a lump sum donation, or a per-mile pledge to one of the runners.

General information about the race can be obtained at the , 355 New York Avenue or by calling 631-549-3006.

 

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