The 17th Annual Mineola Mustang Run wasn't just the biggest fundraiser of the year for the village, it was the biggest Mustang Run ever in terms of the number of participants and the amount of money raised, which will benefit the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Mineola Athletic Association, Mineola Police Athletic League, Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Fire Department, Mineola Historical Society and Mineola Youth and Family Services.

On Sunday morning, Nov. 18, runners and walkers lined up for the Fun Run/Walk at 9 a.m., which was followed by the 3.1 mile Mustang Run. The crowd of participants that waited on Emory Road for the race to start was a measure of the efforts of the Mustang Run Committee and the contributions of the volunteers and sponsors.

The run raised a record total of $22,000 as a record 840 runners and walkers participated. Each of the organizations will receive at least $3,000. An addition $1,000 will be donated to the County Seat Kiwanis for distribution to Mineola-connected families affected by the World Trade Center.

Mustang Run Chairperson Linda Fairgrieve, who ran the mile, expressed her deep appreciation for all the support received from the Mineola Chamber of Commerce and the Mineola business community as well as the hundreds of volunteers and local organizations that made thus year's event the most successful ever.

Over 300 volunteers participated, which truly made it a community event. Among the leading volunteers were Linda Fairgrieve (race director), Bill Kaiser (registration director), Dolores La Courte (treasurer), Madeline Maffetore (secretary), Tony Nocito (journal chairperson), Suzanne Skaflestad (raffle director), Joyce Gorycki (fundraising), Tom Brewer (shirts), Paul May and Danny Sapanera (set up committee), Gabe Parajos and Janet Wohlars (flyer distribution), and general support from Marc Leno, Alex Dangelo, Paul Cusato, Trustee Elizabeth Conlon, Tom Winters, Joe Grillo, Bill Miliano (accountant), Al Freehill, John Lotito of Hempstead Lincoln Mercury for the bicycle donation, Phil Fortuna of Long Island Checkered Cab for the 27'' color T.V.), Dr. Ann Forte, Dr. Gail Stevens, and Artie Epstein of Randi's Cleaners for donating over 700 water bottles.

Additional volunteers included Bonnie Santosus Parente, Deputy Village Clerk Teri Ranfone, Steve Ford of Willis Hobbies, P.J. Diskin, Juan Sanz, Sandy Clarke, Paul Rubin, the Piloto family, Marc and Sandy Brodsky, Vincent Bergius, Chris Pritchard, Al and Ann Thiem, Matthew Sanderleaf, Luann and Philip Scribani, Rich and Carolyn Ayers, Lawrence Jones, Esq., Michael Pfeifer, Esq., Nancy Bauer, Walter Smith, Tim McCue of State Bank of Mineola, Barry Lantz, Dennis Mortensen, Dolores Mangold, Jeanne Stephens, Tom Murtha, Dr. Kenneth Sommers (dentist in Mineola), and Ann Sommers, Louis and Julie Gagliano, Maureen Gillick, Mike Marinak, Susan Ferraro, Rick Ueland, Joy Savasta, Bernice Schmid, Sara Danzi, Barbara and James Lanni, Annche Lamm, Marie Bewer, Joseph and Marie Kelly, Maureen Lipton and Eileen Donato.

Food and drinks were supplied by Western Beef, Entenmann's Bakery, Bagel Boss, Dunkin' Donuts of Mineola, Snapple, Mistic and McDonalds of Mineola. Wendy's of Williston Park provided 1,000 coupons good for a free Frosty. Winthrop-University Hospital with the special assistance of vice president of external affairs John Broder, contributed the flyers. The New York Mets and community director Jill Knee contributed an autographed picture for the raffle. A&D Offset Printers under Mark Eliasoff provided printing work.

Numerous Mineola groups also participated including: Chief Mike DeStefano and the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department, Chief Michael Spae and the Mineola Auxiliary Police, Chief Edward Rummel and President Mary Mahoney and the Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Mineola Athletic Association, Knights of Columbus Corpus Christi Council, President Manny DeFreitas and the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, President Jack Hehman and the Mineola Historical Society, Nassau County Police Department Third Precinct, the Mineola Teachers Association, volunteers from the Corpus Christi School, Mineola High School Key Club, Mineola Middle School Builder's Club, Brownie Troop 1038 and its leaders Carol DiBella, Joanne Pontillilo and Kate Pepe, the County Seat Kiwanis Club, and members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) under the leadership of George Gluck, who provided much need ed communication services.

Many dignitaries and major sponsors supported the race by attending and/or financially supporting it including: Dennis Mortensen, Donna Strein, Steve Siwinski of the Mineola School District Board of Education, Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert, Mineola Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus Jr., veteran Sal Scibilia, Bill Vissicchio of McDonalds of Mineola, Clara Valderamma of Prudential Galleria Real Estate, Phil Fortuna of Long Island Checked Cab, Mineola Trustee Elizabeth Conlon, North Hemsptead Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante, Tim McCue and Marciano Itri of State Bank of Long Island, Teresa Richard of the Mineola Teacher's Association, Arthur Epstein of Randi's Cleaners, Town Councilwoman Doreen Banks, Mineola Village Justice John O'Shea, Dr. Ronald Nagelberg of Long Island Dental Center, General Manager Joseph Pravata of Western Beef, former East Williston Mayor Dolores Sedacca, District Court Judge Steven Jaeger and John Carway, head of Nassau County Probation.

Linda Fairgrieve and the entire Mustang Run Committee would like to thank all of the who made this event a tremendous success. Special appreciation is expressed to Angela Anton of Anton Newspapers for their coverage of the Mustang Run. This event is a true community effort with various people and groups coming together to raise money to strengthen and enhance the community. "The event had more coverage on the course than any other community event," commented one of the run's participants. All volunteers supported the committee's objective to make the race as safe as possible.

The Mineola School District , board of education and custodial staff heavily supported the event. Special thanks are extended to the board and business manager John Jackson.

The 18th annual Mustang Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17. Anyone wishing to sponsor or join the committee can call Linda Fairgrieve at 294-5914.

Note: For a list of the winners as well as a complete list of the sponsors, see next week's Mineola American.