Community

Run/Walk for Oklahoma relief in Peconic Sunday

COURTESY PHOTO | Katie Coe (right) with sister Carol and some of the donations they’ve received for Oklahoma relief.

Like many, Katie Coe of Mattituck was horrified at the extent of the destruction wrought by the massive tornado that tore through Oklahoma on Monday, killing 24 people, including seven school children. And like many, she wondered what she could do to help.

“I put up a Facebook post asking for ideas and a friend suggested a 5K race,” said Ms. Coe, who just recently received a degree in business and economics from Hofstra University. “Then I thought, why not combine a race with a donation drive?”

Rather than having it out on the street over the busy Memorial Day weekend, she petitioned the town and received the approval for Sunday’s “LI for OK Run/Walk” from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Jean Cochran Park on Peconic Lane in Peconic.

The entry fee is $15 for adults and $10 for children. That fee includes food and a door prize entry. Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are $10 each. For every raffle ticket sold a stuffed teddy bear will be donated.

Participants are asked to bring donations of socks and underwear, toiletries, work gloves, heavy-duty garbage bags, baby supplies and shoes. No used clothing will be accepted. There will be music and a table for kids to make greeting cards to be sent to young tornado victims.

“I’ve already had people make donations and a woman from Nassau County called and said she’s coming with her friends and is putting up flyers throughout her neighborhood,” Ms. Coe said. “It seems people are really excited, even though it’s Memorial Day weekend.”

Anyone who’d like to donate but can’t attend can go to the NOFO Inspire Facebook page or call (631) 741-8867 or (631) 875-3437.

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