East Rockaway Education Foundation hosting 5K

2nd annual race to fund school projects

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The East Rockaway Education Foundation will be holding its second annual 5k race on March 25 at 9 a.m. The money collected will fund projects for teachers and administrators in the East Rockaway School District that are not included in the 2017-18 budget.

“The 5K is a tremendous event that really illustrates the spirit that has kept these neighborhoods strong,” said Michael Martino, the community relations manager for Suez Water Long Island, which is helping to sponsor the event. “We are proud to be a sponsor.”

Participants must register and pay an entry fee to race the 3.1 miles from Althouse 1848, located at 101 Althouse Ave., to Skippy’s Way near Lazy Lobster, which is located at 10 Front St. For adults, the entry fee costs $20 prior to the race, and $25 on the day of the race. Children 14 and younger who register before the day of the outing can participate for $12 and children who register at the race are charged $15. The costs include a bib number, a T-shirt and refreshments.


Last year, the EREF raised over $9,000. In January, the organization donated more than $11,000 to fund eight grants. According to Dan Caracciolo, the president of EREF, teachers and administrators must submit an application to the organization to receive this grant money for projects that support the school district’s STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — programs.

The grants have gone toward new technologies in the district, a robotics program in the high school and junior high schools, as well as a second grade garden to plant food.

“We do fund a lot of what’s requested,” Caracciolo said.

Last year, over 200 people participated in the race. SUEZ helped sponsor the inaugural race, and is the title sponsor this year.

The event is scheduled to run rain or shine, and participants must arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. Registration and check-in will begin at 7 a.m. For more information, visit the East Rockaway Education Foundation’s Facebook page,