Sunny and safe

From left, social worker Kelly Haldaman, Matheny student Katherine Gaudio and volunteer Uma Patla.

After last year’s rainy weather, the sunny skies were a welcome sight as participants, volunteers and spectators congregated in downtown Peapack for the 16th annual Miles for Matheny, our annual fundraiser and community event, held Sunday, April 21. Occurring less than a week after the tragic events of the Boston Marathon, there were also concerns about safety, but added police presence and other security measures put everyone at ease.

WCBS-TV traffic reporter Alex Denis kicked off both the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk and the 5K Road Race, but, in between, she spent time visiting with Matheny students, patients and their families. “I heard about the support that families receive from Matheny,” she said, “and their surprise that their sons and daughters are able to do things such as go to a prom or go bowling or attend a sporting event.  At Matheny, there appear to be no limitations.”

In addition to the Wheelchair Walk and 5K, there were five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions,” followed by luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised at Miles for Matheny will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Major sponsors were: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Company; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

WCBS-TV's Alex Denis.