Community News

Friends and family raise money in honor of late Valley Streamer

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A Valley Stream family hosted a fundraiser on Saturday in East Rockaway to honor Ronnie Biegner, who died of kidney cancer in 2011. He was 51.

“My brother Ronnie was one of the best guys I have ever known,” said Madeline Lazzara, who organized the fundraiser.

Lazzara said that her brother was an avid Mets fan who loved to attend Fantasy Day at Fenway Park in Boston. The event asks participants to meet a fundraising goal to benefit the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, which funds adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. Those who meet their goal are allowed to hit and field baseballs on the field at Fenway.

In honor of her brother, Lazzara said her family has continued the tradition. They have raised more than $12,000 in the last two years. Lazzara’s son, Andrew, and her brother George are planning on attending Fantasy Day in June. The family has created Runs for Ronnie Inc., an organization that will continue fundraising for the event in his name.
“He was just a great guy,” Lazzara said. “A lot of people miss him.”

Biegner was born and raised in Valley Stream, graduated from South High School in 1977 and played football with the Green Hornets and baseball in the Mail League. He died less than a year after being diagnosed with renal cell cancer.

Lazzara fought through tears as she spoke about him to a room full of friends and family at the Commuters Club in East Rockaway. She was quick to joke, “There’s no crying in baseball.”

The fundraising goal this year is $5,750, of which $3,500 was raised on Saturday by selling raffle tickets for more than 50 prizes. Lazzara and her family are hoping to continue to raise money leading up to the June 11 event. Donations can be made to Runs for Ronnie here.