ELEEF supporters lace up shoes for fundraiser
Date: 8/29/2013
By Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.comEAST LONGMEADOW – Supporters of the East Longmeadow Educational Endowment Fund (ELEEF) are lacing up their shoes to take part in the foundation’s next fundraiser.
On Sept. 22, ELEEF will host its third annual Run for Education 5K run/walk.
The race rounds out the three major annual fundraisers for the organization that supplies grants for supplemental educational initiatives. The ELEEF dinner dance took place in March, followed by the golf tournament in May.
“What’s nice about this one is it attracts different people than the ones who might attend the other fundraisers,” Damon D’Amico, president of ELEEF, said. “This is an event that we look at as more of a community event than the others. It brings out the kids and active runners that normally might not be going to a dinner dance. It tends to be different folks than the ones we see the rest of the year.”
The race begins and ends at Maybury Material Handling at 90 Denslow Road. Day-of registration begins at 8 a.m. with the runners stepping off at 9 a.m., followed shortly after by the walkers. An awards ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. and the kids’ fun run will follow at 10:30 a.m.
Pre-registration is available for $35 online at https://eorcrunner1.wufoo.com/forms/third-annual-eleef-run-for-education-road-race. The cost for adults who register the day of the race is $40 and those younger than 18 years old may register for $20. The kids’ fun run carries a $5 fee to be paid on the day of the race.
A printable registration form is available at
www.eleef.org.
Those who register by Sept. 10 either online or by mail will receive a free race T-shirt. Those who register late or on the day of the race will not be guaranteed a shirt or correct size.
D’Amico said the hope is to garner the largest field in the race’s three-year history.
“We’re looking to break 150 runners. Last year we had 140 runners and 40 kids registered for the fun run,” he said, adding the hope was to raise $5,000.
In total, he said, ELEEF has provided close to $400,000 in educational grants since its inception and its endowment has a balance of more than $500,000.
“The goal is to have a $1 million endowment that can be a perpetual gift to the students of East Longmeadow,” he said.
ELEEF is also still looking for sponsors for the event with levels ranging from $100 to $500. All sponsors will be listed on the event’s T-shirt.
Those with questions should contact Jennifer Merrigan, who D’Amico credited with “doing an outstanding job” in heading up the organization of the race. She can be reached via email at
jmerrigan8@charter.net.
