Running for Matheny

From left, Bruce, Roxanne, Jack and Max Levinston.

Twelve year-old Jack Levinston says he has been a runner “my whole life.” He also competes in lacrosse, soccer and wrestling. But it was his love for running that inspired him to look for a way he could run in a road race to support a worthy cause for his Bar Mitzvah project. A seventh grader at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Jack will have his Bar Mitzvah ceremony on May 11 at Temple Beth-El in Hillsborough.

“I started looking online for races,” he said, “and Matheny just seemed like a good place because it helps people with disabilities. It had the best description of what it does.” Jack will be running the 5K at Miles for Matheny and has set a fundraising goal of $5,000. As of March 15, he had already raised $1,507 from 19 different donors. “We’ve gotten some very generous donations,” he added, pointing out that “100% of the money I raise goes to the Matheny Medical and Educational Center to help people with disabilities.”

The 16th annual Miles for Matheny will be held Sunday, April 21, 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 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 Matheny inpatients and 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 help support Jack Levinston, click on Search For Participant and type in his name.

Jack Levinston

 

Cycling choices

Cyclists prepare to take off on one of the courses in 2012.

The cycling routes at Miles for Matheny, our annual fundraiser and community event, have been designed by the Bedminster Flyers Cycling Club to offer every level of cyclist a rewarding challenge. The cycling courses range from a 10-mile family-friendly ride to the 50-mile Hills of Attrition course with steep climbing hills. In between are a 25-mile ride, 35-mile ride and a regular 50-mile ride.

For the 11th consecutive year, Bedminster, NJ-based Peapack-Gladstone Bank will be the Cycling Sponsor and will make two of its branches available for rest stops. “Peapack-Gladstone Bank,” says Denise Pace-Sanders, vice president brand and marketing director, “is proud to be a continuing supporter and Cycling Sponsor for Miles for Matheny. It gives us great pleasure to assist in raising money for such a worthy cause and for an organization that is very much a part of our community.”

The 16th annual Miles for Matheny will be held on Sunday, April 21 at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ. The Cycling rides begin at 9:30 a.m. Other activities include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a USATF-certified 5K Road Race, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny “Breakfast of Champions” followed by luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised at Miles will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

Other major sponsors are: Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; 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 the fun-filled and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Wheeling and walking

Adult patient Jessica Evans and walking partner.

Named after the late Lu Huggins, a co-founder of Miles for Matheny, the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk is a 1.5 mile walk through downtown Peapack, NJ. Members of the community are invited to walk with Matheny students and patients in an event that is truly a celebration of the abilities of those who are physically challenged. Our students and patients look forward to this walk every year, as Miles is “their” day. Join us for what we promise will be a very rewarding experience on Sunday, April 21.

This year, Partlow Insurance Agency will be the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk Sponsor at Miles for Matheny. Partlow, headquartered in Winchester, VA, is recognized nationally as the leader in insuring nonprofit social service and special education institutions.

Other activities at Miles for Matheny include a USATF-certified 5K Road Race, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny “Breakfast of Champions” followed by luncheon refreshments in Liberty Park. All funds raised at Miles will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

Other major sponsors are: Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; 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.

Adult patient Chris Saglimbene with the NJ Devils mascot.

 

Kids fun run

Kids Fun Run 2012.

Everyone’s a winner in the Kids Fun Run at Miles for Matheny, which introduces children to running for a cause.

The run is designed especially for the youngest racing enthusiasts. There are four short sprints: 50 yards for ages 3-4; 75 yards, ages 5-6; 100 yards, ages 7-8; and 150 yards, ages 9-10. All Fun Run participants receive a winner’s medal.

The 16th annual Miles for Matheny community event and fundraiser will be held on Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ. The Fun Run begins at 11:30 a.m. Other activities include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a USATF-certified 5K race and five different cycling routes. All funds raised at the event will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and to people with disabilities in the community.

This year Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C., Morristown, NJ-based attorneys at law, will again be the Kids Fun Run sponsor. Other major sponsors are: Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

To find out how you can be part of this fun-filled and uplifiting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org.

Celebrating after the races.

 

Miles of entertainment

Affinity Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, will again be the Entertainment Sponsor at Miles for Matheny, our fundraiser and community event being held Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ.

Several Affinity executives recently visited Matheny. From left: Matheny president Steve Proctor, Affinity Foundation development specialist Ann Geller, Affinity relationship manager Jennifer Oakley, external affairs & financial education specialist Grant Gallagher, member experience officer Salvatore Galati, Foundation executive director Beth Degnan and Eileen Murray, director of Matheny’s Arts Access Program.

Activities at Miles include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a USATF-NJ-sanctioned 5K Road Race, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions” along with luncheon refreshments in the park. All money raised at Miles will benefit 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.

Affinity, New Jersey’s largest credit union, is a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution with 15 branches throughout the state and more than 135,000 members from more than 2,000 businesses and organizations.

Other major sponsors are: Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

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

Affinity Foundation executive director Beth Degnan, left, and Foundation development specialist Ann Geller visit with adult patient and Arts Access artist Luis Rodriguez.

 

Start a team!

Kaila’s Krew, one of many teams formed by Matheny families.

A great way to raise money to support Miles for Matheny, our annual fundraiser and community event, is to start a team for your school, church, book club, running club or friends and family. It’s a fun way to spend the day together at the event and a great way to help get more donations. You can create a team registration page, train together, set team fundraising goals or even make it a “friendly” competition among your teammates to see who can raise the most money.

Team fundraising tips are offered online at www.milesformatheny.org. You can also call Patricia Cats at (908) 234-0011, ext. 260, or email her at pcats@matheny.org.

Miles for Matheny is being held Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack, NJ. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny inpatients and people with disabilities in the community. Activities include:  five Cycling Routes, a USATF-certified 5K Road Race, Kids Fun Run, the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk and The Friends of Matheny “Breakfast of Champions”, followed by luncheon refreshments in the park.

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

Running team from RDA Fitness in Byram, NJ.

 

Create a Miles webpage!

5K and Kids Fun Run runners love to finish their race and cheer on the wheelchair participants as they approach the finish line.

A great way to raise money for Miles for Matheny, our annual fundraiser and community event, is to create a personal webpage on the Miles for Matheny website. You can upload photos of you and your teammates, set fundraising and training goals and send emails to friends and family asking them to support your efforts.

Plus, you can send updates, which serve as gentle reminders, as the event day gets closer. And, once the event is over, you can continue to fundraise by sending photos and notes to let people know how you did as a runner, cyclist or walking partner.

Miles is being held Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack. The signature activity is the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk in which more than 100 wheelchair participants, with walking partners, travel 1.5 miles around town. There’s also a USATF-NJ sanctioned 5K race, five different Cycling routes and a Kids Fun Run. All money 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.

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

Wheeling and walking

Braving the elements at Miles for Matheny 2012.

The late Lu Huggins was concerned that Matheny students and patients “had no idea what life was like in the real world. And no one in the community ever saw them.” So in 1998, she helped create the first Miles for Matheny, which included a wheelchair walk and one cycling ride.

On Sunday, April 21, the 16th annual Miles for Matheny will be held at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack, NJ, and the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk will, of course, be the centerpiece. Friends and family members will be able to enjoy walking 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.

All funds 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 in the community. Other activities, in addition to the Wheelchair Walk, are a USAF-sanctioned 5K Race, five different Cycling routes and a Kids Fun Run.

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.

Thank you, Peapack-Gladstone

Chuck Matheny and friends in the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk.

Miles for Matheny, according to Steve Proctor, Matheny president, is a day that, “our patients, students and their families look forward to with great anticipation, and it was particularly meaningful this year because we returned to downtown Peapack. We could not have had such a successful event without the help and cooperation of the Borough of Peapack-Gladstone. The police and fire departments, public works department and mayor’s office all went the extra mile, so to speak, to make sure we had a safe and inspiring day. I’d also like to thank all the volunteers, Matheny staff members and other participants from the community for coming out on a less than perfect day to support us.”

Miles activities included the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K run, five different cycling routes and a kids fun run, all followed by a rain-shortened picnic. WCBS-TV sports anchor Otis Livingston kicked off the Wheelchair Walk and WCBS Newsradio 880’s Wayne Cabot sent the 5K runners on their way.

All funds raised at Miles for Matheny help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in the community. Donations are still being accepted at www.milesformatheny.org.

Major Miles sponsors include: The Poses Family Foundation; Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation; Archer & Greiner, P.C.; BP Fueling Communities; WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; and Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

Matheny student Bryan Desatnick with his father Lloyd, left, and mother Edana, right, sharing a laugh with CBS 2’s Otis Livingston and his son Marquis.

 

Sunny in spirit

From left, Courtney Smith, Reagan Thomson and Jordan Smith of Bedminster and Jamie Moschetto of Peapack in the gym with adult patient Rasheedah Mahali.

“I’ve been there in years past when it was rainy, and there’s almost a camaraderie in being able to brave those elements.” That comment by WCBS-TV news anchor Don Dahler on his Saturday morning newscast the day before Miles for Matheny would prove to be prophetic. It did rain on Sunday, April 22, but, as Bedminster, NJ, resident Trish Mannion pointed out, “The whole community came out and supported this wonderful cause. Thank you for letting our family be part of such a wonderful day!”

And thanks to Peapack-Gladstone for inviting Matheny to use the gymnasium in the municipal building as a gathering place for all the wheelchair participants, who, otherwise, would have had to be outside. In fact, there was a party atmosphere in the gym as volunteers, Matheny staff members and families joined the Matheny students and patients to wait for the start of the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk.

Going the extra mile

Adult patient Andy Lash with his father and sister at Miles for Matheny 2009.

As we head down the home stretch before Sunday’s Miles for Matheny, the top fundraising team is Jack’s Team ($4,158) formed by the family of Matheny student Jack Harter, followed closely by That’s How Scott Rolls, the team created by the family of another Matheny student, Scott Gordon ($3,463). The remaining top 10 fundraisers are:

  • Patrick’s Team (student Patrick Conmy) $2,700
  • Desatnick Team  (student Bryan Desatnick) 2,625
  • Andy “Flash” Lash (adult patient Andy Lash) 2,585
  • TEAM Kids (Ridge High School girls track team) 2,415
  • Cory Mazen (Bedwell School teacher) 1,760
  • Team Schapiro (Basking Ridge family) 1,275
  • Christine Corratello (Roseland resident) 1,260
  • Pay it Forward (Friend of student Dina Conturso) 1,115

All funds raised at Miles for Matheny 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 the community. Major Miles sponsors are:  The Poses Family Foundation; Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation; Archer & Greiner, P.C.; BP Fueling Communities; WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; and Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

Online registration closes at midnight on April 18, but on-site registration begins at 9 a.m. at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack.

Picnic in the park

The Bernardsville Rotary will be manning the grills, like they did last year.

The Celebration Picnic at this year’s Miles for Matheny will be held in Liberty Park in downtown Peapack instead of at Matheny. Food and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. The Friends of Matheny, Matheny’s auxiliary group, will sponsor the “Breakfast of Champions” and the Bernardsville Rotary Club will again be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. In addition to food supplied by Matheny and its sponsors, some local businesses, such as Cesar’s Corner Deli and Dominick’s Pizza, will be offering food for sale.

All funds raised at Miles for Matheny, being held Sunday, April 22, will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and to people with disabilities in the community. Major Miles sponsors are: Poses Family Foundation; Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation; Archer & Greiner, P.C; BP Fueling Communities; WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; and Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

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