Agawam resident creates 5K benefit

Date: 10/5/2010

Oct. 6, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

AGAWAM -- It started as a casual conversation between cousins but in the few short weeks since, Agawam resident Jill Moccio has spearheaded a new event to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The Agawam Harvest 5K Walk/Run, the first of which Moccio hopes to be an annual event, will take place Oct. 23 at Headquarters Bar & Grille, 485 Springfield St., beginning at 10 a.m.

"[We] just though about what we could do to give back and we thought a couple of weeks ago a 5K for Shriners would be a good idea," Moccio explained.

An avid runner for more than a year now, she said she's always looking for five- and 10-kilometer runs in New England.

"We're expecting at least 100 walkers and/or runners. It would be nice to raise $5,000," Moccio said of her expectations for the event.

When asked why she chose Shriners Hospital for Children as the walk's beneficiary, Moccio replied, "People love giving to Shriners [Hospital]. If it's for Shriners, people are willing to donate and give all they could."

The walk/run will begin and end at Headquarters Bar & Grille. Pre-registration will start at 10 a.m., with walkers taking the course at noon and runners at 1 p.m. Food will be provided before and after the race.

Registration fee is $40 per person. The first 100 people to sign up for the 5K will receive a free T-shirt.

An after party with a DJ and raffle will take place in the afternoon at Headquarters, along with local band Disorderly Conduct providing the evening's entertainment.

For more information, to make a donation or to download an application for the race, visit www.agawamharvestrun.com.