The first endurance relay race held at the expanding watershed trails in Port Jervis raised $8,000 for a national organization dedicated to suicide prevention.
Race organizers and volunteers presented a check to Maria Idoni, Hudson Valley chapter director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, at Riverside Park on May 14.
“They were an amazing group, and we are grateful that they chose [us],” Ms. Idoni told The Epoch Times, adding that besides the donation, the relay race also helped to spread awareness about suicide prevention.
About 140 runners from Hudson Valley and beyond took part in the endurance race in April, with the goal of finishing as many 3-mile loops as they could over a 12-hour period. One team completed a total of 25 laps, the most among all.
Almost every team endured to the end. One solo runner logged an impressive 46 miles on his own.
Some runners’ family members and friends also came along and ran a lap or two to show their support, in addition to making donations to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“I think the cause helps bring in people that maybe would not have done it,” John Faggione, director of the Port Jervis recreation department and one of the four core race organizers, said.
The event started with an idea from Sean Addy—who found support from Mr. Faggione in dedicating it to his brother, Jim Faggione, an avid runner who died from suicide. It came to fruition with the help of two other volunteers, Mike Ward and Melissa Newhauser.
Mr. Faggione’s brother Tom Faggione also contributed his time.
“One thing we all like to do is whenever we do events together, it is always for a cause,” Mr. Addy told The Epoch Times, adding that races such as this would also get more people to discover the beauty of Port Jervis.
Over the past years, the city’s downtown has seen a renaissance, with one new business after another taking over vacated storefronts. This momentum will soon be multiplied by an infusion of a $10 million revitalization grant from New York State.
On the city’s outskirts, volunteers with the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis and others have been building trails in the watershed and recreation park, which will soon expand by another 1,000 acres.
Following the race, organizers decided to give $1,000 in donation proceeds to Port Jervis Ambulance Corp., which had one ambulance standing by throughout the duration of the race.
“We enjoy helping out the community, and it is irrelevant whether or not we make something out of it,” George Ewings, operations manager for the Port Jervis Ambulance Corp., told The Epoch Times.
The Outdoor Club of Port Jervis also received thousands of dollars in donations from event attendees.
