Meredith Sobel, a former graduate of the Great Neck Schools (Class of 1994) has entered the Jarden Westchester triathlon competition consisting of a 1.5K swim, a 10K run, and a 40K bike ride to raise money for victims of terrorism in Israel. The race will be held on Sept. 17 in Rye, New York.

She is sponsoring a girl by the name of Natalia, who lost her entire family in Russia prior to a terror attack. Shortly after immigrating to Israel and getting her life back on track she was nearly fatally injured by a suicide bomber who blew himself up in front of her at an outdoor market near her apartment in Tel Aviv. One Family has been assisting Natalia with food, clothing and basic life necessities such as mental health counseling and other needs the state does not provide to get Natalia back on her feet.

The organization that she is raising funds for is called Team One Family and can be viewed on the web at www.teamonefamily.org. The charity organization's website is www.onefamilyfund.org. To make donations specifically to Meri's efforts, please visit: http://www.active.com/donate/TeamOneFamilyTri/triMSobel .

Meredith, who prior to June of this year could not even run one mile continuously nor biked for more than 10 anywhere other than a flat road, has trained in running, swimming and biking since the end of June every morning from 6 to 7:30 and after work and weekends with coaches from the organization to prepare herself for this event.