Eisenhower Park was bursting with community spirit and color on June 20, as runners, families, and local supporters gathered for the Never Stop Running Foundation Rainbow 5K Run, held at Field 2. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. under warm early‑summer skies and brought together participants of all ages, from competitive runners to those simply enjoying a vibrant jog or walk through one of Nassau County’s most iconic parks.
Organizers emphasized that the Rainbow Run is more than a fitness event, it is a community‑building tradition supported by volunteers who lined the course with water, encouragement, and rainbow‑themed energy. Parking Lot 2 quickly transformed into a lively pre‑race hub as families unloaded strollers, coolers, and color gear.
Aidan Kaplan, Assistant Director at PFY — a Bellmore-based division of the Long Island Crisis Center that provides advocacy, education, and supportive services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults — shared that he has been with the agency for 12 years, growing from intern to services coordinator, manager, and now Assistant Director. He shared that PFY’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of the LGBTQ+ community through education, supportive services, and personal development across Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens Counties.
Founded in 1993 as the first suburban LGBTQ+ center in the United States, PFY has expanded from a single part‑time drop‑in program to more than 30 programs offered across two locations and a mobile health fleet operating daily. All money raised from the Rainbow Run directly supports PFY’s free programs and services, with most funding benefiting LGBTQ+ youth to ensure no client ever pays for care.
For Kaplan, “Pride Month is about belonging, especially for young people who walk into PFY feeling isolated. Pride creates visibility that reminds them they are part of something beautiful, celebrated, and affirmed.”
As East Meadow welcomes summer, the Rainbow Run once again stood out as a highlight on the community calendar, blending fitness, fun, and togetherness in one vibrant morning at Eisenhower Park. Race results can be found on EliteFeats.com/race-results/?ID=25154.
