Farmingdale Medical Professionals to Support Second Annual Race to Benefit Nassau County Parks

With heightened awareness of Nassau County's continued precarious financial situation, and the realization that Nassau's recreation and parks programs are "easy targets" that are likely to be shouldering a disproportionate share of the pain that is being caused by the situation, two Farmingdale medical professionals will be joining the Greater Long Island Running Club (GLIRC) to once again organize Long Island runners to "give something back" to the parks.

Farmingdale Chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo and Farmingdale Acupuncturist Mark Donnelly will be joining with GLIRC to stage the second annual four mile "Sprint for the Parks" at Eisenhower Park on Sunday morning, Sept. 30. The starting gun for the runners will go off at 9 a.m., with a judged racewalk starting at 9:05 a.m. GLIRC's Lynn Kotler will once again serve as the race director and David Katz of Finish Line Road Technicians will once again serve as the technical director.

At the Eisenhower Park Field House as they gather to make plans for the Sprint for the Parks are Acupuncturist Mark Donnelly, Chiropractor Dr. Larry Lembo, Nassau County Recreation and Parks Administrator Paul Giordano, Race Director Lynn Kotler, Technical Director David Katz, and Alan Sobel of South Shore Outdoor.

Virtually all of the goods and services necessary to stage a first class race (including shirts being donated by South Shore Outdoor) are being donated (including the services of the club) and the entire net proceeds will be turned over to a special fund being set up by the Parks Department and our club solely for the special needs of Nassau County's recreational and parks programs. (The money will not go to the county's general fund; it will be used exclusively for parks and recreation purposes.)

All local runners, especially those who utilize parks and care for the future of them are urged to support the Sept. 30 Sprint for the Parks. This appeal is not limited just to residents of Nassau County.

"The $10,000 or so that we hope to raise via this run may not solve all of the problems that the Nassau Parks Department faces, but it is seed money, a base for establishing a fund that will ensure the future of the partnership between the Long Island running community and the Parks Department," observed Kotler. "We are looking for the biggest possible turnout at the Spirit for the Parks on Sept. 30. This is our chance to 'give something back' to our parks and to help ensure their future."

For information or entry forms to the Spirit for the Parks, call the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.