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Sean’s Run Sponsored Generously

December 9, 2007 — It is not often that a charity event can meet its sponsorship goals half a year in advance of the scheduled affair. But Sean’s Run, an annual event in Chatham that lures participants from across the region and is recognized for its impact and community value, has done just that by attracting and retaining a growing list of loyal sponsors.

For the third consecutive year, First Niagara Bank Foundation has signed on to be the Presenting Sponsor of the event, which serves as a perennial spring-time reminder about the pervasive problems of underage drinking, impaired driving and teenagers’ lax use of seatbelts. It includes a 5K and mile run/walk, a tribute to victims of drunk driving, a prevention education expo and the World Championship Battle of the Belts, a contest to encourage increased use of seatbelts by teenagers. Funds raised during the event are invested in activities produced by youth groups and schools designed to encourage teens to make safe choices about drinking and driving.

New to the list of sponsors this year, the Register Star and Chatham Courier have been designated as Sean’s Run Media Sponsor.

“Our sponsors tell us the relevance and seriousness of the problems that Sean’s Run addresses is the prime consideration behind their ongoing support. We work hard to produce the Sean French Memorial Run as a highly regarded and well-organized event for our community,” said Jeff French, event chairman.

Nearly all sponsors have been behind the event since its inception in 2002 as a community response to the loss of the event’s namesake, an accomplished runner and popular Chatham High School junior.

Also returning as main sponsors for the 7th Annual Sean’s Run are FairPoint Communications as 5k Sponsor, GHI as Major Benefactor, Newkirk as SeansMile Sponsor and Rensselaer Honda as Battle of the Belts Sponsor.

Gold Medal Sponsors returning include Columbia Memorial Hospital, Trowbridge Farms, Chatco, Blass Communications, and addidas Eyewear. New to this category of sponsorship for 2008 is Stewarts Shops.

Silver Medal Sponsors, all returning from previous years include Price Chopper, Sonoco Crellin, New York Oncology Hematology, DRI Imaging, Taconic Driving School, Mark and Cathy French, Firehouse Productions.

Other repeat sponsors, all designated as Blue ribbon Sponsors, include Brown’s Emporium, Cantele Tent Rental, Casiano and Sonya Del Peral, Chatham Flowers, Chatham Properties, Ed Harrington, Inc, Fingar Agency, French Cut Lawn Service, Jim and Elaine Gilmer, Koweek, Cranna and McEvoy, Marisa’s Bagel Café, Metz Wood Harder Insurance, Michael C. Howard, Esq., Pam and Jeff Lappies and The Lofgren Agency. New to the Blue Ribbon category are Com-Tech Electronics, Hawthorne Valley Farm and Park Row Gallery.

Thanks to its sponsors, the impact of Sean’s Run goes beyond a once-yearly community run and walk to address the problems that contribute to the all-too-often loss of young lives in car crashes.