On the run

5K runners at Miles for Matheny 2013.

The 5K race at Miles for Matheny is a challenging USATF Certified route with mile clocks and water stops. Results will be posted at www.compuscore.com. The route will take runners through Peapack-Gladstone and Chester Township on both town and rural roads. There will be a rolling start with a very fast finish.

Medals and certificates will be awarded to the top three overall runners, both male and female. Awards will also be given to the top three runners in each age group, male and female, in five-year increments from ages 14 and under to 85 and over.

The 17th annual Miles for Matheny will be held on Sunday, June 1, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack. In addition to the 5K, activities include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and the “Breakfast of Champions”, provided by The Friends of Matheny. All funds raised will 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 are: Partlow Insurance, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C. Attorneys at Law, WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

For more information, to register or to start a fundraising team, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Kids Fun Run at Miles for Matheny 2013.

Looking for a wonderful way to introduce your kids to running for a cause? Thanks to sponsor Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C., Attorneys at Law, you can do just that at the Kids Fun Run at Miles for Matheny.

Designed especially for the youngest racing enthusiasts, the Kids Fun Run consists of four short sprints, divided by age category, for children between the ages of 3 and 10. It gives everyone a chance to be a winner in a very non-competitive atmosphere. All Fun Run participants receive a winner’s medal. Here is a breakdown of the sprint lengths: ages 3-4, 50 yards; ages 5-6, 75 yards; ages 7-8, 100 yards; ages 9-10, 150 yards.

The 17th annual Miles for Matheny will be held on Sunday, June 1, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack, NJ. In addition to the Kids Fun Run, other activities include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Road Race, five different Cycling routes and the “Breakfast of Champions” provided by The Friends of Matheny. All funds raised 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, in addition to PBN, are: Partlow Insurance, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

For more information, to register or start a team fundraising page, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Cyclists at Miles for Matheny 2013.

On Wednesday evenings from April through September, as many as 60 cyclists may show up at 2 Main Street in Peapack, NJ, to participate in the Bedminster Flyers Cycling Club weekly ride. The Flyers, a recreational cycling club, has been in the Somerset Hills for more than two decades.

For the 17th annual Miles for Matheny, to be held Sunday, June 1, at Liberty Park in Peapack, the Flyers will once again design five cycling routes, intended to offer every level of cyclist a rewarding challenge. From the Hills of Attrition 50-mile course with steep climbing hills, to the family-friendly, 10-mile ride, there is a perfect course for everyone. Thanks to the Flyers, and thanks to Peapack-Gladstone Bank for once again being the Cycling sponsor at Miles.

In addition to cycling, activities at Miles include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Road Race, a Kids Fun Run and the Breakfast of Champions, provided by The Friends of Matheny. All funds raised at Miles support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to our inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Other major sponsors, in addition to Peapack-Gladstone Bank, are: Partlow Insurance, Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C.; WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

For more information, to register or to create a fundraising team page, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Team Bo from Miles 2013.

A great way to raise money for Miles for Matheny is to get more people involved by starting a team. It could include members of your school, church, book club, running club—or it could be just friends and family. You can create a team registration page, train together, set team fundraising goals or even generate a friendly competition among team members to see who can raise the most money.

You can also create a personal or team webpage at www.milesformatheny.org to make your fundraising efforts easier. You can upload photos of you and your teammates, set fundraising goals and send emails to your friends and family, asking them to support you at Miles for Matheny.

Miles for Matheny is being held Sunday, June 1, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack. Events include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Road Race, five Cycling Routes, a Kids Fun Run and the “Breakfast of Champions,” provided by The Friends of Matheny. All funds raised will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

For more information about how to start a fundraising team and webpage, log onto www.milesformatheny.org. If you need help, email pcats@matheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, 2013.

Online registration for the 17th annual Miles for Matheny began on March 11. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, June 1, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack. Activities include:

• The Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk where friends and family members walk alongside more than 100 Matheny children and adults who “wheel” through the streets of downtown Peapack to the cheers of community members and other supporters.

• 5K Road Race through the beautiful Somerset Hills on town and rural roads.

• Five Cycling Routes winding through the picturesque countryside.

• Kids Fun Run for children, ages 3-10.

• “Breakfast of Champions,” provided by The Friends of Matheny.

All money raised at Miles for Matheny will benefit the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and to people with disabilities living in communities throughout New Jersey.

For more information, to register or start a fundraising page, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

5K Run, 2013.

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.

Andy Lash with his father Fred and sister Morgan at Miles for Matheny 2009.

Two of the top fundraisers for Miles for Matheny will be interviewed on local CBS stations this week. Justin and Morgan Lash, brother and sister of Matheny adult patient Andy Lash, will be guests on  the CBS 2 morning news this Saturday, April 20, between 9 and 10 a.m.  Andy “Flash” Lash, the fundraising team created by the Lash family, as of April 17, had raised $3,695.

Jack Levinston, a 12-year-old from Bridgewater, NJ, who is running the 5K and raising money for Miles as his bar mitzvah project, has been interviewed by WCBS Newsradio 880 anchor Wayne Cabot. That interview will probably air on 880AM on Thursday, April 18, although it could also air on April 19 or 20.  Jack’s latest fundraising tally is $2,240.  Miles for Matheny is being held this Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ.

Activities at Miles, in addition to the 5K, include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, five different cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions”, plus luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880 are media sponsors of the event. Other major sponsors include: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C.; and Affinity Federal Credit Union.

On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday in Liberty Park.  For more information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Jack Levinston.

Bo Geraghty on a camping trip with recreation therapist Saori Cheth.

Liz and Michael Geraghty of  Cranford, NJ, believe people with disabilities should have an opportunity “to experience all that life offers.” With that in mind, they have formed a fundraising team called “Go Bo” to raise money for Miles for Matheny, our annual community event being held Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ. The “Bo” is Bozena, the Geraghty’s 22-year-old daughter, who became a Matheny resident in 2009. As of April 16, the Geraghtys had raised $1,185.

Because of the security and peace of mind that Matheny has given her family, Liz Geraghty became very involved in Matheny’s activities and last year was elected president of Matheny’s auxiliary group, The Friends of Matheny. “My daughter doesn’t walk,” she says, “and she doesn’t talk. But during her first year at Matheny, the recreation department told me they wanted to take her camping, and I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding!”

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

To find out how you can be part of this fun-filled and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260. To help support Go Bo, click on Search for Participant and type in the team name.

Ryan O'Connor participating in an adapted sport activity with physical education instructor Jim Hintenach, left, and occupational therapist Deborah Goodhart.

Last year the Immaculate Conception School in Annandale, NJ, designated Matheny as the beneficiary of its Dance-A-Thon and raised $10,000. This year, ICS has formed a fundraising team to support Miles for Matheny and has set a fundraising goal of $15,000. The effort is being coordinated by Debbie O’Connor, an Annandale resident whose nine-year-old son Ryan is a student at Matheny.

In her message to ICS families, O’Connor says, “Our team will participate in the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk – non-runners and families can enjoy fun and fitness walking alongside Matheny children and adults who ‘wheel’ the streets of downtown Peapack to the cheers of the local community and other supporters.”

Confirmation candidates will receive service hours for volunteering to push a Matheny student or patient, but O’Connor added that ICS students might choose to volunteer with their family to push one of the wheelchair participants. “It is an amazing experience,” she said, “that will touch your hearts.” It will be easy to spot the Immaculate Conception volunteers because O’Connor is having t-shirts made specifically for Team ICS.

In addition to the Wheelchair Walk, activities at Miles for Matheny will include a 5K Race, 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 will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

Major sponsors include: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

To find out how you can be part of this fun and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260. To help support Team ICS, click on Search for Participant and type in the team name.

Scott Gordon in his classroom with speech-language pathologist Jaclynne Dietrich.

As we head into the home stretch for Miles for Matheny, our community event and fundraiser being held Sunday, April 21, the top fundraiser is the Gordon family of New Providence, NJ, whose 13-year-old son Scott is a student in the Matheny School. As of March 27, the Gordons’ fundraising team, “That’s How Scott Rolls” had raised $3,542, easily surpassing its initial fundraising goal of $1,080. The fundraising, according to the Gordons, is being done “in honor of our son, Scott, and his fantabulous team of teachers, caregivers and therapists. We love and appreciate you all!”

Scott currently lives at home, but he is on the waiting list for residency at Matheny. “As Scott began getting bigger,” his mother Julie explains, “we began to think about residential. Nobody wishes that for their child, but given his size and his needs, we realized this was the best thing.”

The 16th annual Miles for Matheny will be held at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack, NJ. Activities include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Run, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions” followed by refreshments in the park. All funds raised will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Major sponsors are the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

To find out how you can be part of this fun-filled and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260. To support “That’s How Scott Rolls”, click on Search for Participant and type in the team name.

At Miles for Matheny 2012: Otis Livingston and his son Marquis with Lloyd and Edana Desatnick of Basking Ridge, NJ, and their son Bryan, a Matheny student.

“It’s a little dreary, but we’re not going to let that dampen our spirits. The motto is: ‘Go the Miles and make some Smiles.’ Let’s do that today, and let’s have a great time.” So said WCBS-TV sports anchor Otis Livingston, as he cheered on the participants in the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk last year at Miles for Matheny, our fundraiser and community event to be held this year on Sunday, April 21, in Peapack’s Liberty Park. Livingston will be making a return appearance, hopefully under sunnier skies.

WCBS-TV, along with sister station WCBS Newsradio 880, will again be broadcast media sponsors of Miles for Matheny, which in addition to the wheelchair walk, includes a 5K Road Race, 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 help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

A multi-Emmy Award winner, Livingston lives in New Jersey with his wife and five children. He has been part of the CBS 2 sports team since 2009. Prior to that, he reported on sports for “Today in New York” on WNBC-TV and has also reported for WWOR-TV and WPHL-TV in Philadelphia. In 2004, Livingston carried the Olympic Torch through part of the Torch’s world tour leading up to the Summer Olympics in Athens. He was a member of the University of Kansas basketball team that won the national championship in 1988 and is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a BS in telecommunications.

To find out how you can be part of this fun-filled and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Otis Livingston and his son Marquis, keeping dry in the gym last year with Matheny adult student Dion Alston and the New Jersey Devils mascot.

Wayne Cabot and his daughter Amanda, trying to keep dry last year.

WCBS Newsradio 880 anchor Wayne Cabot will once again have a personal webpage on the Miles for Matheny website to raise money for our fundraiser and community event, being held on Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ. WCBS Newsradio 880 and sister station WCBS-TV are media sponsors of Miles, and Cabot and CBS 2 sports anchor Otis Livingston will be at the event.

Cabot says he comes to Miles every year because, “We believe in what the folks at Matheny do. I have had the honor of being shown around many times. The people at Matheny are treated with care and dignity. I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

Activities at Miles for Matheny include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Road Race, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny “Breakfast of Champions” followed by luncheon refreshments in the park.

All funds raised at Miles help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Other major sponsors are: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; and Affinity Federal Credit Union.

To find out how you can be part of this fun-filled and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260. To help support Wayne Cabot’s fundraising efforts, click on Search for Participant and type in his name.