THE GIRL SCOUTS OF NASSAU COUNTY WALKATHON A BEAMING SUCCESS!
Garden City, NY June 24, 2011 – More than 550 participants rallied together at the Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s “Girls Go the Distance” Walkathon on Sunday, June 5that SUNY College at Old Westbury. The two-mile walk complete with entertainment and activities brought together hundreds of Long Islanders, families, Troops, community and local corporations who raised more than $28,000for the Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Healthy Living Initiative.
“Our Walkathon this year was such a wonderful event and a day full of learning and laughter for everyone involved,” said Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “A big thank you goes out to all who participated and made this event such an unforgettable success! It’s great to see people gather together in support of making a difference in the lives of young girls.”
The Healthy Living Initiative brings a unique perspective to keeping girls healthy. Girls define health in their own terms, placing as much emphasis on emotional and social well-being as physical health, nutrition and physical fitness. In addition to healthy eating and physical fitness, the Healthy Living Initiative also focuses on increasing girls’ self-esteem, media image awareness and how to develop healthy relationships.
Walk attendees participated in fun activities that helped them learn about healthyliving, while Melissa Connolly, Vice President at Hofstra University
served as the emcee for the event.
Girl Scout Alumnae and corporate teams met with today's Girl Scouts, networked with peers and stood out as real-life role models for girls throughout Nassau County.
In addition, all attendees had the opportunity to learn about and meet, Amy Palmiero-Winters, the official Walkathon Grand Marshall and hear about her perseverance, athleticism and inspirational accomplishments.
Palmiero-Winters has been a runner since age eight, when she crossed her first finish line. However, in 1994, her left foot was crushed in a motorcycle accident, challenging her ability to ever walk - let alone run - again. Three years and twenty-five surgeries later, Palmiero-Winters had to amputate her leg and was fitted with a walking prosthesis and resumed competing in half-marathons, marathons, and triathlons.
On January 1, 2010, she won the "Run to the Future," a twenty-four-hour race in Glendale, AZ, by running 130.4 miles. This performance earned her the distinction of beingthe first amputee to qualify for the U.S. National Track and Field Team.
As a member of the U.S. National Team, she helped the women finish fourth in Brive.
Also, a special thank you goes out to all of the "Girls Go the Distance" Walkathon corporate sponsors including
Bethpage Federal Credit Union,
Canteen Vending,
Farrell Fritz,
Hofstra University,
Lackmann Culinary Services,
North Shore Medical Group,
New York Community Bank Foundation and
Winthrop Hospitaland media sponsors including
Adelphi University,
Carol and Harry Ransom,
Full Service Contracting,
Holtz Rubenstein Reminick,
KJOY,
KPMG,
Long Island Parent Source and
Your Local Kids Source.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Girl Scouting in Nassau County creates an accepting and nurturing environment, which gives girls a chance to build character and develops leadership skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them throughout their lives, like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. With more than 22,000 girl and 7,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Nassau County has become the preeminent organization and leading authority for girls. The organization, now in its 99th year, continues to make the world a better place one girl at a time.
For more information on the Girl Scouts of Nassau County call Donna Rivera Downey 516 741-2550 at ext. 260, or visitwww.gsnc.org.
