Run for Heroes 5K is off to an early start

Plans for the 2023 Run for Heroes 5K event have gotten a head start.

The annual fundraiser, which will take place on September 9 in Baldwin Park, helps raise money for the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts throughout the 21st Assembly District — including Rockville Centre, Malverne, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Baldwin, and Freeport

In preparation for the race for local veterans, the East Rockaway Kiwanis club held a kickoff event on July 24 to encourage members of the community to participate in the cause.

“The Kiwanis always supports the vets,” Michaelene Abbott-Cooper, president of the East Rockaway Kiwanis club, said. Her two sons, 21 and 23, both serve in the US Marine Corps. “I always saw respect in the flag, in being an American, in the opportunities we have here, (and) in how we conduct ourselves.”

Assemblyman Brian Curran began the race in 2011 to help raise money for local veterans organizations that had been struggling financially. Seeing the opportunity, Curran created the 5K walk as a way to help raise money to benefit our local heroes.

Funding for the event also helps cover the cost of banners and medals for the winners, while the remaining funds are divided equally among the posts.

“The posts are very important because it provides, particularly the older veterans, a place to go and see other veterans, to socialize, to talk about their experiences,” Curran said. “To many veterans, the posts are their second homes. They enjoy being there. We must do everything to keep them open, and the only way to do that is to meet their needs.”

The momentum behind the race has grown each year into what it is today. Each participating community regularly sees between 100-to-200 runners compete, and raises anywhere from $5,000 to more than $10,000 for the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

And the money isn’t the only thing given back to the veterans. Seeing their friends, families, neighbors and even strangers come together to support them has just as much an impact.

“I think they’re thankful, I think they’re grateful,” Abbott-Cooper said. “The joy I get is from seeing them smile.”

Curran agreed, adding that you can see the appreciation from local veterans towards all of the runners who participate.

“What their participation is doing for them in keeping their post open, it means everything to them,” Curran said. “After all they have done, this is the very least we can do.”

To register, visit Events.EliteFeats/23RunForHeroes.