The President's Corner

Run for Pierogies champion Aaron Apathy, co-director Sean Brennan, top female Jamie Adams and co-director Gary Uveges.

This month I am writing to report that the Third Annual Parma Run/Walk for Pierogies was an overwhelming success thanks to the support of 550 participants, several volunteers and many sponsors. All total we raised nearly $9,000 for some excellent causes, including the American Cancer Society, All Faiths Pantry and the Parma All Kids Playground Project. This column is my attempt to thank all who contributed to the event’s success.

Many individuals are to be thanked, including my wife Deena, my co-director Gary Uveges, his wife and our official photographer Trish, volunteer coordinator Kevin Leigh, Kayla Kelly and Rich Lawhun from Hermes Road Racing, now retired President of Cuyahoga Community College’s Western Campus Patricia Rowell and current President Ron Liss, Radiah Douglas of CCC-West, Peace Tea donor Ed Majchrycz, Terry Deis and Mark White of our major sponsor Parma Community General Hospital, Bob Fenner of Newschannel 5, Jeff Sako of Grand Slam Graphics, Vince Rucci of Vertical Runner in Brecksville, Helenrae Bidzilek for designing our pierogie awards, Paul Chuppa of Chuppa’s Marketplace for donating all of the delicious fruit, Chaplain Connie Felice and the Greater Cleveland Young Marines from 325 Marine Reserve in Brookpark for volunteering and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ own Moondog.

Please thank and support our many generous sponsors, including CCC-West, Parma Hospital, the Little Polish Diner, Krakow Deli, WIXY 1260 Super Oldie's Band, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church Pierogi Sales, Enterprise Group Planning, the Shoppes at Parma (formerly Parmatown Mall), Kohl’s of Parma and Strongsville, Distinctive Eyewear, Broadview Multi-Care, Pilat Insurance Agency, Ridge Road Autoworks, Flowerama at Ridge and Snow Roads, S&S Benefits, On the Spot Dry Cleaners, Eaton Corporation, Parma Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s of Seven Hills and Parma Heights, Kik’s Office Supplies, Anthony’s Restaurant, the Cleveland Indians, Parma’s Team Green Runners Group (Chad Davis, Sharon Zeck, Manny Victoriano, Chris Stauffer and Jen Madercic), Cleveland Airport Hilton Garden Inn, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Guys Pizza, Office Max, Questcom Graphics, Target, Clean and Shine Maid Service, Acme Supermarket, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Brookgate Lanes, the Fox and Hound, Antonio’s Restaurant, the Cuyahoga County Public Library System, Biofreeze, Stancato’s, Car Parts Warehouse, Mount Royal Villa, Be Well Solutions, Vineyard Wine Merchant, Red Robin, and the Parma Hospital Auxiliary volunteers.

Congratulations to all of our finishers, especially those who ran their first 5K (3.1 miles). Special congratulations to our first place winner for the third year in a row Aaron Apathy who set a new course record of 15:33, as well as to Padua Franciscan High School’s own Jamie Adams, our first place female for the second year in a row, coming in at 19:23.

We are already gearing up for July 5, 2014. If you are interested in getting involved as a participant, sponsor or volunteer, please contact me via e-mail at councilmanbrennan@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 440-884-0489. Please check out our website for more information and to check out pictures at http://www.hermescleveland.com/roadracing/events/parmapierogies.asp and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Parma-RunWalk-for-Pierogies/510203692378698.