Marathon walker Richard Fenster, a Carle Place resident, last week completed his 1,100-mile journey by foot, from Florida to New York, to raise funds for the Rotary Gift of Life program. Fenster was greeted by supporters as he headed down Westbury Avenue in Carle Place on May 10. He made his way to Carle Place Middle School on Cherry Lane, where he was cheered by students and presented with donations for the organization.

Fenster began his walk on March 31, in St. Augustine, Florida, and traveled by foot for 40 days along the east coast. The purpose of his quest was to raise funds for The Gift of Life, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation administered by Rotary, the international service organization with chapters throughout the world. Gift of Life, Inc. is a project of Rotary District 7250 which provides open-heart surgery to needy children throughout the world. Founded in 1975, it is a non-profit corporation administered by participating Rotarians of District 7250. Through the program, doctors at participating hospitals donate their time and services for the surgeries, while money raised by Rotary funds the medical supplies and ancillary costs.