Ride For Life

Thursday, May 8, 2008 Back to Main Menu

Patients Chris Pendergast, Rich Kornck and Norma Steck-Hess met at 8:30am in front of the North Babylon High School. All family members, volunteers and staff were treated to a breakfast donated by the Renaissance Club. Band directors, Frank Rizzo and Jay Orig, led the band with rousing music to cheer in the patients as they wheeled into the gym.

Band director, Frank Rizzo and teacher, Barbara Brown

Norma Steck-Hess & Rich Kornak ride past the
North Babylon Band and Color Guard Flag team

The Color Guard Flag team also performed. Barbara Brown, teacher, welcomed the RFL patients. Ride volunteer, Phyllis Silver, who lost her husband to ALS this year, introduced the patents. Senior Danielle Stanford sang the "National Anthem."

Superintendent, Dr. Robert Aloise, greeted everyone and was happy to announce that the West Islip High School was joining the North Babylon High School to walk with the patients. He wished everyone a safe journey and said he would join us on the way to our next stop.

West Islip HS joins North Babylon on the Ride

Principal, Ray Williams, congratulated the students on their tremendous efforts in arranging fundraising efforts. He called them selfless and applauded them and asked they also applaud themselves for their hard work. He also will join on the walk. West Islip class advisors, Virginia Scudda and Jaclyn Cucci , said their school was proud to be a part of this cause.

Other families who lost members to ALS were introduced: The McGarrity family and the Murphy family. Jean Ellen Murphy, volunteer to the Ride, lost her mother to ALS. Her mom was the librarian at the high school.

North Babylon's check to RFL

The students then presented a check for $14,000 for the Ride. Over 100 students donned their “Ride for Life” tee shirts and followed the patients along the highway to show their support. Everyone walked through the Marion G. Vedder Elementary School. It was raining, so instead of standing outside the building, the students lined the hallways holding banners and cheering as the patients wheeled by.

Marion G. Vedder Elementary School greets Riders

Oquenock School greets the Riders

Rich Kornak, Norma Steck-Hess
& Chris Pendergast at Oquenock School

The next stop was Oquenock School. Principal, Miss Morrison, welcomed the patients and the procession. Teacher, Mr. Hass, introduced students who collected money for the Riders and presented a check for $4,200. He then introduced a little girl, Heidi Hohorst, who singly collected $275 for the patients.

At this point, North Babylon principal, Mr. Williams left and West Islip principal, Mr. Hartill, led the procession to his school. Once at West Islip High School, we congratulated the students and thanked them for all their great work and encouragement along the way. Lunch was provided by Maria Bronzino and Garth McGill inside the High School.

Copiague Chamber joins us to Tanner Park

Casey, Chris, Rich & Norma at Tanner Park for ceremony

Anna Tambasco, past pres. Chamber Copiague, Sharon Fattoruso, Pres. Chamber, Babylon Town Supervisor, Steve Bellone, Mike Dinowitz, events coordinator, RFL, State Assemblyman, Owen Johnson at Tanner Park

Once in Copiague, we were met by the Copiague Chamber of Commerce who walked with us toward Tanner Park on the Great South Bay. Sharon Fattoruso, president, and Anna Tambasco, past president of the Chamber, welcomed us to the covered picnic area. There were four six-foot heroes, salads, fruit and drinks for everyone. We were entertained by the Copiague Middle School Band and Chorus directed by Tim Galvin and Gina Occhiogrosso. Mr. Andrea Poprilo, Copiague Schools District Coordinator arranged for the students and teachers to perform. Another ALS patient, Casey Banks, joined the riders along the route.

Patient, Casey Banks

After the entertainment, Sharon Fattoruso introduced State Assemblyman, Owen Johnson from Babylon Township. He warmly greeted the patients and walkers and said he would continue to work for funding to help find a cause and cure for ALS. Town Supervisor Steve Bellone also greeted everyone and praised us for our efforts.

Just before the conclusion of the ceremony, a student from St. Martin of Tours, Morgan Jaycox, presented the patients with greeting cards made by members of her class, along with a check for $400.00. Receiving the warm welcome we did from the Chamber of Commerce, was a wonderful conclusion to a very busy and activities-filled day. Everyone was very appreciative, and we hope to meet them along the way next year.