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Mostly Cloudy East Rockaway Education Foundation hosts successful 5K
On a cool and clear morning, about 176 runners and walkers participated in the East Rockaway Education Foundation’s second annual Spring 5K race on March 25.
“We had a collection of residents from all over Long Island come out,” said Dan Caracciolo, the president of the EREF. “There were over a dozen towns involved and Lynbrook and East Rockaway were well represented.”
Caracciolo estimated that about $7,000 was raised. The exact figure will be announced at the April 24 EREF meeting. The money will go to fund projects for teachers and administrators in the East Rockaway School District that are not covered by the 2017-18 budget.
Brian Crowley took first place for the men, while his son, Colin Crowley, placed first for children 14 and under. Lauren Darienzo was the women’s winner.
Suez Water hosted the race for the second straight year and will do so again next spring, Caracciolo said. At the event, participants trekked the 3.1 miles from Althouse 1848, located at 101 Althouse Ave., to Skippy’s Way near Lazy Lobster. Adults paid a $20 entry fee prior to the race, and $25 on the day of, while children paid $12 in advance and $15 on race day.
Caracciolo said that the EREF would inform teachers and administrators that the micro grant opportunity is open in September. They will then accept requests for how to use the money in October and make approvals in December.
Last year, the EREF approved nine grants for nearly $12,000. The grants have gone toward new technologies in the district, including a robotics program in some of the schools.
Caracciolo said that he was thankful to the village for allowing the EREF to run the event and for those who turned out to support it — including those from out of town who shopped locally. “I think it’s really nice to see a lot of people from other towns coming into East Rockaway for this,” he said. “ … Anytime we can have a positive impact, not only on the kids and communities and families, but to have our local businesses supported, it’s great.”
