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Sean’s Run Sponsored Generously

December 1, 2008 - Amidst all the news about an economic downturn facing the nation, there is some good news: one local charity event has met its sponsorship goals - half a year in advance of the scheduled affair. 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.

First Niagara Bank has again signed on to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 8th Annual Sean’s Run, a perennial spring-time reminder about the pervasive problems of underage drinking, impaired driving and teenagers’ lax use of seatbelts. The event on April 26, 2009 will include 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. In the past seven years $106,000 has been raised to support scholarships and activities produced by youth groups and schools designed to encourage teens to make safe choices about drinking and driving.

The Register Star and Chatham Courier have been designated as the 2009 Sean’s Run Media Sponsor.

“Our sponsors tell us the prime consideration behind their ongoing support is the relevance and seriousness of the problems that Sean’s Run is addressing. We are fortunate they have selected Sean’s Run as a charity they support even as we all face economic challenges. We will continue to 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 prime sponsors for the 8th Annual Sean’s Run are FairPoint Communications as 5k Sponsor, GHI as Major Benefactor, Newkirk as MeghansMile Sponsor and Rensselaer Honda as Battle of the Belts Sponsor.

Gold Medal Sponsors returning include Blass Communications, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Trowbridge Farms, Chatco, and Stewarts Shops. New to the Gold Medal level are Tom Warner Watercolors of Great Barrington, MA, Waterbiz.com of Hillsdale, and Structural Management of Schenectady

Silver Medal Sponsors returning from previous years include Brown’s Emporium, Price Chopper, Sonoco Crellin, New York Oncology Hematology, Taconic Driving School, Mark and Cathy French, Firehouse Productions, Marisa’s Bagel Café. New Silver Medal Sponsors include the Aviette Agency of Ghent, Dan and Casey Tuczinski of Chatham.

Other repeat sponsors, all designated as Blue Ribbon Sponsors, include Cantele Tent Rental, Casiano and Sonya Del Peral, Chatham Flowers, Chatham Properties, Com-Tech Electronics, Ed Harrington, Inc, Fingar Agency, French Cut Lawn Service, Jim and Elaine Gilmer, Hawthorne Valley Farm, Koweek, Cranna and McEvoy, Metz Wood Harder Insurance, Michael C. Howard, Esq., Park Row Gallery, Pam and Jeff Lappies, Chris and Randy Hahn and The Lofgren Agency.

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.