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Community Corner

Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis Has Another Successful Year

Fundraising event held at Marjorie Post Park.

Despite some tricky weather, Massapequa residents turned out in force recently to help raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis is a national program held every year. There were 130 walk sites nationwide last week, including two on Long Island. For the fourth straight year, Marjorie R. Post Community Park  hosted a walk.

About 800 people were at the event this year according to event coordinator Kate Butler, who said the money goes to fight the disease which strikes the gastrointestinal  tract, often causing inflammation in the intestines.

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“The donations go towards the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation which has a variety of projects, including funding research, support services, education and awareness,” she said.

One such donation came from Puccio Electric.  Owner Mark Puccio, was at the park with his family and said his company donated $11,111.11 to the foundation. “It means a lot [to be here]. My brother-in-law lost his life to this disease, so I’m here to raise some money and help everybody out that I can,” Puccio said.

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Other sponsors  included Geico and the New York Mets, who brought along their mascot "Mr. Met.

"Children played games set up along the parking lot, Mr. Met posed for pictures with those in attendance, Radio station 92.3 NOW was  on hand as well.

“We have a bunch of things going on for the kids and it’s a big festival to celebrate everyone’s fundraising efforts,” Butler said.

Two bands from an organization called "Students Rockin' for a Reason" also donated their time and talents to play for those at the event.

The members of "Ellipsis,"  the first band to play, have been together for about a year now, according to Justin Tepper, the band’s 15-year-old keyboardist and singer. He said they got involved with Students Rockin' for a Reason while at another similar event.

“We’re basically a bunch of bands, I think there are six bands now. We go around to different charity gigs like this and we play, entertain, sometimes we fund-raise,” Tepper said.

Despite the dreary weather, Butler was happy that people still came to show their support. “We’re pretty happy with this since the rain was pretty heavy before. They knew it was rain or shine so everyone’s happy to support,” she said.

The Eastern Long Island Walk will be held in Riverhead on October 1.

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