KENT STUDENTS RAISE $26,000 TO FIGHT BLOOD CANCERS AT
6TH ANNUAL DUATHLON

Nearly 400 Kent Primary and Kent Elementary students came back to school Saturday morning, June 13, 2009 to be a part of the much anticipated, "Do the Du", a duathalon fundraiser to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter.  The students, ranging from kindergarten through the fourth grade, ran a 1/2 mile, biked 2 miles, and ran another 1/2 mile, generating pledges and business donations totaling over $26,000 for LLS.  The funds raised will go towards research, patient support services, education, and advocacy.  In the past five years, the school has raised over $200,000 for the organization.

The 6th annual event began with the parade of athletes, who were lead by seven honored patients from the Westchester/Hudson Valley area: 11-year-old Maggie McDonnell from Carmel; 13-year-old Jamie Macomber from Carmel; six-year-old Brandon Chen from Yorktown Heights; seven-year-old Matthew Viglucci of New Fairfield, CT (formerly of Carmel); six-year-old Ben Levin of Oyster Bay, NY; Alex Cohen of New Rochelle; and Jennifer Coppola of Yorktown Heights.   

Athletes in grades K - 2 were the first off to run a half mile "fun run", lead by members of the Carmel High Track Team.  Students in grades 2 - 4 and race alumni could run and bike, or be a part of a team.  Teachers and parents kept the event running smoothly, giving the participants a chance to be part of an exciting challenge while their families cheered their efforts from the sidelines.  All participants crossed the balloon arch finish line to receive their medals and lots of congratulations.

"We greatly appreciate the commitment of the Kent faculty, parents, and students to organizing and taking part in this event each year," remarked Dennis Chillemi, Executive Director of LLS's Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter. "There is truly only one ‘Do the Du' and it is one of our top school fundraising events in the country."

Once again, community support was tremendous.  We extend our thanks to the following sponsors: 

*Combe Inc. *Carmel Teachers Association *Putnam County Savings Bank *UMAC *The Mission Church Preschool Academy *Excel Printing *Christopher Maher- Attorney at Law *Carmel Bagel Deli...Licious  *Putnam Federal Credit Union  *Sleepy Hollow Animal Hospital * Daniel Doyle, DMD,PC  *Michael Wiener, DDS P.L.L.C. *Mechanical Coordinators of NY Inc. *Stan's Auto Body  *Douglas Illustration  *Fitzgerald Designs  *Keon Center  *Carmel Diner  *Marshall's—A Shoe Store  *Carmel Nursery School  *George's Place  *Gappy's Pizza  *Dunkin Donuts  *McDonalds  * Friendly's  *Carvel *DeBellis Brothers Catering *Hudson Valley Furniture *Abruzzi  *Smalley's Inn * Knights of Columbus * Vital Essence Inc. * The Robin's Nest Day Care Center  * Mary Knolker Shaklee Distributor *TCO Plumbing & Heating, LLC * Interact Club at Carmel High School * NutandBoltGuy, Inc. * Signing Tree  * NY Sports Club  *Patterson Rotary * Insight Engineering *Renegades *Quality Rent All * Shaw Welding * Silver Lining Delivery, Inc. * Pepsi Bottling Group * Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages *Sal's Pizza *Whole Foods *ShopRite *Edible Arrangements                                                                      

Here are some photos from this year's event:

Honored Patients standing left to right: Jamie Macomber, Maggie McDonnell, Jennifer Coppola, Alex Cohen, Ben Levin, Matthew Viglucci, and Brandon Chen.

Honored Patients lead the Parade of Athletes

And the athelets are off to a strong start....

Cathleen Rosetti of Kent Elementary School presents LLS Executive Director, Dennis Chillemi, and Campaign Manager, Barbara Gallagher, with a check for $25,000.