Thursday, January 23, 2025
The Seaford Wellness Council is gearing up for its 19th annual Hot Chocolate 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, a fundraiser for the community and one of the organization’s most successful events of the year.
The annual fundraiser, which will take place on Dec. 7 at Seaford High School, is spearheaded by the wellness council, a non-profit organization comprised of teachers, business owners, local government leaders and residents from Seaford.
The group’s aim is to create a positive change in the community, with a mission statement that reads, “Our goal is to assist in the improvement of the Seaford community's quality of life by promoting general community wellness.”
Michael Di Silvio, the council’s president, began working with the organization 20 years ago after coaching his daughter’s softball and track teams. As a business owner, he knew Seaford well and wanted to do more for the community.
“It was refreshing to just use my spare time in a way that I was able to put back into the community,” Di Silvio said.
Di Silvio and the rest of the council’s board decided 20 years ago that the first event they wanted to revive was the run/walk, recalling when he was a runner in the 1980s and participated in the event. They brought the run back in 2004, after a 15 year gap, and now, as council president, Di Silvio said he enjoys watching the runners, families and casual walkers participate.
“It is a great way for families to get together and enjoy a healthy walk/run,” Frank DiGregorio, an officer for the council who participates in the walk every year, said.
In the outset, about 200 people participated, and right before Covid-19, the number increased to almost 1,000, but then the council was unable to hold the event for two years. All the funds earned from the event go back to community programs and events. Raffles are held, and bagels and hot chocolate are offered to the event’s participants.
Di Silvio said the course has always remained the same, but could possibly change where the course ends. Instead of starting and ending at the front of the high school, the end would be on the school’s track field if there are no conflicts with sporting events.
The council has a lengthy list of accomplishments in the community, including co-sponsoring events and the restoration and beautification of community spaces. The wellness council’s building is located on Sunset Avenue in Seaford, surrounded by the Seaford Manor Elementary School and Seaford High School.
The council has a small board that runs the organization, including two treasurers and three secretaries, in addition to four officers and a social media person. The board focuses on the community, taking on any project that benefits the community. While some projects are larger than others, the council puts the same level of effort into each.
“If we want to take on a project, we move quickly and we make sure we get it done, and done right,” Di Silvio said.
The wellness council runs programs throughout the year, sometimes in partnerships with other organizations, as well as youth programs and socials for older adults. The council also works with the Seaford schools to sponsor people to talk to students about leadership, substance abuse, motivation and life experiences.
“We try to have people who can give presentations to the students on topics that are important and timely,” Di Silvio said.
In addition, the council and Seaford Public Library host summer concerts, and the council co-sponsors the Veterans Day “Field of Honor” with the Seaford American Legion.
The council is credited with several other accomplishments, including construction of the gazebo at the Seaford train station, the renovation and cleanliness of the Washington Avenue Park and many more restoration and cleanup projects.
Di Silvio mentioned that senior board members are most likely retiring in the next year or two, and the council is looking for new board members who are “dedicated, energetic people” and can bring ideas to make a meaningful impact in the community.
