The Community Runs For Ron

By Eliza Hallabeck

Community members, and some of their pets, participated in Reed Intermediate Interact Club’s Run For Ron event Saturday, May 16. More than 100 people registered for the event, and more than $4,000 was raised to help school district Business Manager Ron Bienkowski and his family with medical expenses associated to Mr Bienkowski’s recent diagnosis of a rare form of leukemia.

A three-mile and a five-mile loop were designated around the school to help runners and walkers know which direction to go. Signs created by the Interact Club lead the way.

According to Reed Intermediate School Assistant Principal Anthony Salvatore, food and refreshment donations for the event were provided by Chartwells Food Services, Big Y, Caraluzzi’s, and Cosco.

DJ Dave Gallo with BoppersDJs.com supplied music and announcements during the event, which ran from a registration time at 8:30 am until before 1 pm.

Participants began walking and running their pledged distances at 9 am.

Anyone who would like to contribute but was not able to pledge or attend the event can help by making a check payable to the Rotary Foundation and including “Re: Ron Bienkowski Medical  Fund” on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to the Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470. The Rotary Club and the bank have offered to manage to manage the donations through the Rotary Foundation, so donations are tax deductible, according to Dr Salvatore.