Bellmore race raises $10K for local charities

Eighth-grader Thomas Reynolds spent his short life enjoying sports, friends and family, so its was fitting that those close to him paid tribute to the 13-year-old with a 5K charity race in his name.

The Thomas Reynolds 5K Memorial Run drew nearly 300 people to the Town of Hempstead’s Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore on the morning of Saturday, June 9, and raised more than $10,000 for the Thomas Reynolds Foundation, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School and Special Spaces — the three local charities the race supported.

Thomas, a student at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, died in October after a long battle with an ependymoma brain tumor, a rare form of cancer. Raised by his mother, Lisa Tuminello-Reynolds, and his grandparents Tony and Rita Tuminello, Thomas had a constant source of love and support around him. The family was also surrounded by a constant supply of supportive friends.

Christine Cook and Kathy Whelan went to St. Barnabas Elementary School and Holy Trinity High School together. The trio has remained close into their adult lives. Whelan and Cook thought it would be a great idea to organize the run in honor of Thomas. Whelan works with the local Long Island Chapter of Special Spaces, which builds dream bedrooms for children battling life-threatening diseases.

Thomas would have graduated from eighth grade in the coming days, and Cook said the race was an emotional event for all involved. “It was a happy event, but it was very emotional,” she said.

It wasn’t until April that the race came together, but Cook said she was pleased with the outcome. “It was a great day,” she said. “It was a great event for a great cause.”

Following the initial success of the event, Cook said the race is sure to become an annual event.