Hope for Heroes 5K raises money for veterans

Dozens of war veterans, elected officials and residents from Lynbrook, East Rockaway and their surrounding communities came out on May 7 to support the second annual Run for Heroes 5K, hosted by Assemblyman Brian Curran.

Members of local Veterans for Foreign Wars and American Legion posts kicked off the event with a quick march, holding American flags and signs symbolizing their various organizations.

The race began and ended at Hewlett Point Beach in Bay Park. The registration fee was $25 before the race and $35 for runners and walkers on the day of the event. Children 14 and under were able to participate for $15. Lance Peter of Roosevelt was the first one to finish. It marked the second year Peter won the race. He was not originally going to race as he had just returned to Long Island from his college, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, but he decided to defend his title.

Proceeds from the 5K were donated to the Lynbrook American Legion Post, the Lynbrook Veterans for Foreign Wars, the East Rockaway VFW, the Malverne American Legion Post, the Rockville Centre American Legion Post, the Baldwin American Legion Post, the Oceanside VFW and Nassau County Disabled American Veterans.