On behalf of everyone at The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., we want to thank those who made our 25th annual Laurel Memorial Run & Walk a success.

Last year we dealt with a pandemic that disrupted not only the Laurel Run/Walk but almost every other event. This year we faced a more traditional challenge – rain, and plenty of it. Downpours soaked the last set of runners at Friday’s relay run, and torrential rains that swept over roads and flooded homes made it look for a while that we might have to cancel the Saturday events in Silver Creek. But the rains stopped before our walking and running events, and we were able to hold them as scheduled.

There were so many people and businesses who contributed to the success of this year’s event that we can’t list them all. But we do want to draw attention to the following:

¯ Publisher Mike Bird, Editor John D’Agostino and the staff of The Post-Journal and OBSERVER for publishing the special Laurel Run/Walk edition of the paper. This was the 14th year the Observer has printed the special edition, and the first time The P-J has done it.

¯ Everyone who supported the newspaper sale by volunteering to sell papers. We were happy to have state Sen. George Borrello and Silver Creek Mayor Jeff Hornburg selling papers again this year. And we are grateful to the operators of the Tim Hortons both in the North County and the South County for allowing volunteers to sell the papers at their locations.

¯ Everyone who bought a paper. We sold about 2,500 copies and raised $4,000. The generosity of our community is phenomenal!

¯ Representatives from the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility and all of the school districts who took part in the Jamestown-to-Dunkirk relay run. And we thank Sheriff Jim Quattrone for running the first leg of the relay!

¯ The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police and the police departments from the City of Dunkirk, the Town of Ellicott, the Village of Fredonia, and the City of Jamestown, for escorting the runners during the relay. Having patrol units accompany the runners helps ensure their safety while also drawing attention to the relay.

¯ Mayor Willie Rosas and his assistant, Carol Oliveira, for hosting a victory celebration at The Resource Center’s Lake Shore Drive facility following the relay’s conclusion. We also thank the mayor for helping to promote the Laurel Memorial Run/Walk.

¯ People with disabilities and their support staff from The Resource Center, who positioned themselves at various points along the relay route to cheer on the runners.

¯ The Village of Silver Creek for hosting the main Laurel Run events, and especially the Emergency and Rescue Squad and the Department of Public Works.

¯ Matt Bogosian and his son Zak, who on short notice provided the sound system for music and announcements during the Silver Creek events.

¯ All of our awesome volunteers, who donated their valuable time to help make the events run smoothly.

¯ Niles Denning and Jane Young for their photography services.

¯ The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and other area media for providing coverage of this year’s events.

¯ Sisters Janelle and Jaylah Cossin, who again ran and cycled the 30-mile relay route, raising more than $1,100 in support of their efforts; and Kurt Langer and his friendly fund-raising dog, Millie, who raised more than $2,000.

¯ United Refining, which again sold “I support the Laurel Run/Walk” cards at area Kwik Fill locations

¯ All of the people who donated money.

¯ And of course, everyone who took part in the 25th annual Laurel Memorial Run/Walk.

Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek created the Laurel Run/Walk in 1997 on honor of their oldest daughter. Doctors had not given Laurel Hotelling much chance of having a meaningful life when she was born with Down syndrome in 1963. But with the love of her family, support from her community and her own determination, Laurel enjoyed a great life, which included having a job at The Resource Center for 30 years. She also became a local celebrity through her role as the grand marshal of the Laurel Run/Walk. Using Laurel and her friends at The Resource Center as examples, Wayne and Elaine created the Laurel Run/Walk as a celebration of the potential that exists within every person who has a disability. Money raised through the event supports employment and work training opportunities for people with disabilities.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 26th annual Laurel Memorial Run/Walk on July 15-16, 2022.