Community Corner

Strides for the Center

Residents participate in a run to benefit the Johnny Mac Foundation to build a Blue Point Community Center.

The FDNY Firefighter John. F. McNamara Foundation presents Strides for the Center Oct. 15. Registration and breakfast begins at 9 a.m. at Blue Point Fire Department.

For resident who are unaware, McNamara died from what his family believed to be 9/11-related cancer in Aug. 2009. His widow Jennifer is on her way to fulfulling one of her husband's last wishes with the , which aims to raise money to construct a Blue Point community center for adults and children alike.

In accord with John’s motto “whatever it takes,” the foundation now works to do just that to realize the dream of a great man.

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“John had vision of a place where kids could go and stay out of trouble,” Jennifer said. “He grew up in Brooklyn and felt teen centers and that sort of thing saved him from getting into trouble.”

Jennifer would like to make this 5K Run/2K Walk an annual event.

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"We hope to have a lot of community involvement," she said.

Runners start at 10:30 a.m., walkers at 11 a.m. Post-run celebration begins at noon, with food, prizes raffles and live entertainment.It's $25 to register, $10 for participants 18-years-old and younger.

Proceeds to benefit the Johnny Mac Foundation and the creation of the


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