The Town of Oyster Bay, and especially Town Councilman Len Symons of Plainview, have been active supporters of the annual 10 Kilometer Run for ASPIRE for many years, and Bob Windorf of the Greater Long Island Running Club is only in his first year as co-director of the run, but they share one thing in common -- neither had ever seen what actually goes on at the ASPIRE office or at the Joyce Prosthetics Center that manufactures the artificial limbs used by the ASPIRE athletes. On Jan. 19, both of them filled that gap in their education with a thorough tour of the facility -- conducted by ASPIRE program director Paddy Rossbach and prosthestitist Michael Joyce.

"I had seen the ASPIRE athletes in action, but had never really had a close-up view or understanding of the technology behind the prosthetic devices that the athletes are fitted with," observed Bob.

The ASPIRE program provides prosthetic devices, rehabilitation, and intensive rehabilitation through exercise to young amputees, victims of bone cancer and traumatic amputations. The Greater Long Island Running Club has supported the program for more than 15 years, through the 10 Kilometer Run and other events, and Town Councilman Len Symons, Town Supervisor John Venditto and the town's recreation department have provided considerable assistance to the annual Run for ASPIRE.

The 22nd annual Run for ASPIRE will be held on Saturday, April 10, starting and finishing at the H. B. Mattlin Middle School in Plainview.