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Seaford to hold Hot Chocolate 5K

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Hundreds of runners and walkers will hit the streets of Seaford on Dec. 2 for the 14th annual Hot Chocolate Run. The Seaford Wellness Council, an organization that supports dozens of community projects, sponsors the holiday event.

Mike Di Silvio, the council’s president, said that the Hot Chocolate Run is one of the most popular and third largest 5K races on Long Island. The course is flat and has only four turns, he explained, making it is a good place for runners to set personal time records.

“I love seeing families come together and sharing a healthy experience,” he said. “Whether you are young, old or in between, it’s amazing to see how well everyone can run.”

The race always has two honorary starters; the council elects an honoree, and the other individual is always the chamber’s small businessperson of the year. Judy Bongiovi is the 2017 community delegate; Mary T. Lucere is the chamber representative.  

Di Silvio, who has been the president of the council for more than a decade, said that the Hot Chocolate Run is “one of those events that makes Seaford special.” It is the organization’s primary fundraiser of the year, as leaders typically collect between $10,000 and $15,000. The race begins at 9 a.m. in front of Seaford High School.

Mary T. Lucere was president of the Seaford Chamber of Commerce for 2015 and 2016 when her practice was on Merrick Road. Lucere recently joined the Garden City law firm of Schneider Buchel LLP specializing in real estate, landlord/tenant and commercial litigation cases. Lucere graduated from St. John’s University Law School and has been recognized by the Nassau County Bar Association as “Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.” Lucere also participates in a Volunteer Lawyer Program and acts as a judge in a mock trial student exercise.

Judy Bongiovi is currently the President of the Seaford Historical Society — the first woman to ever hold the position. In addition, Bongiovi has been involved in various organizations at St. William the Abbot Catholic Church, including its Parish Council, the CCD Program, leading its Bereavement Ministry and presiding over the Rosary Society. Bongiovi is also a licensed X-ray technician and medical office manager. She was recognized as a “Woman of Distinction” by the New York State Assembly in 2016.

“The Seaford Hot Chocolate 5K Run/Walk could not be more fortunate to have these two quality community people to start our event,” said Seaford Wellness Council Vice President Ken Nersesian. 

The Wellness Council hosts activity nights for middle school students, maintains the gazebo and World War I Memorial by the Long Island Rail Road station, holds an annual cleanup at the Tackapausha Preserve and is one of the sponsors of the Seaford Public Library’s summer concert series.

“We always put the proceeds right back into the community for beautification purposes, educational research and community events, such as the senior harvest social,” Di Silvio added. “Everyone gets to meet new people, have a good time and join in the fun with their Seaford neighbors.”