Strength for Life Shares $4,300 With Sandy Victims

Strength for Life was able to share $4,300 in cash and gift cards to our neighbors who suffered losses in Hurricane Sandy.

You might have read our previous blog how we deliberated over holding our November Run, the Evelyn Knapp "Run to Remember," and decided to go forward with the event and donate half the proceeds to families that were hurt by Sandy. Our numbers were down, understandably, by about 100 runners, however we were blessed with our survivors who sought sponsors, the GreenVale Pacers who raised $900 and populated our run, and Emma Thode, our youngest sole fundraiser who raised $500, bringing us close to our past net proceeds.

Of course, we wish it were more - we wish someone would have matched our donation but we are happy to say we helped.

The whole experience was quite humbling and re-affirms our belief in friends and neighbors. When we decided to go forward with our run and share the proceeds - we had already heard of some severe losses but asked for your input as well. The flood gates could have opened but the responses were not overwhelming.  In fact, when I reached out to some survivors (that I know lost and suffered) they refused the offering wanting it to go to others who had lost more.  Debbie and I did not want to 'play God' and judge losses so we came up with a formula and criteria and let it go. 

We were able to help 11 families from Lindenhurst, the Rockaways, Bayville, Roosevelt and Long Beach; and although we know we could not ease the emotional trauma of the storm we hoped our gift would offer some relief.

As you may know Strength for Life was founded in memory of Evelyn Knapp, an exercise physiologist, who lost her battle with breast cancer at 40 years old in 2005. When we mentioned that we were sharing our profits - many said "that is exactly what Evelyn would do,"  and we knew that.

Strength for Life provides FREE exercise classes and wellness retreats to cancer patients/survivors on Long Island.  We have classes at various locations to make it as accessible to the survivor as possible. Classes are at Mather Hospital, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Breast Cancer Help, STARS Rehabiliation (East Meadow) and the Seaford United Methodist Church.  Other locations will be considered.

For information about classes please visit our website www.strengthforlifeNY.org or call 631-675-6513. 

If you would like to adopt a family for the holidays - we can help you.