The President's Corner

Co-Director Gary Uveges, first place female Stephanie Madercic, Director Sean Brennan, and overall winner, and course record-holder Aaron Apathy.

This summer Cuyahoga Community College (CCC) Western Campus was the site of the University Hospitals (UH) Parma Medical Center’s Fifth Annual Parma Run-Walk for Pierogies, sponsored by Perla’s Homemade Delights. The weather was great for the nearly 650 runners and walkers who showed up to keep in shape, finish with a personal record (PR in runners’ terms), assist the efforts of several local charities, and, of course, enjoy Parma’s famous pierogies. As founder and director of the event, I am writing this month to say thank you to all of our participants, volunteers and sponsors.

First, I want to thank the administration, safety forces and faculty of CCC-West, especially my good friend Radiah Douglas. They have graciously allowed us to take over their campus for the Run-Walk for the past five years. The beauty, safety and flatness of the grounds make for an excellent 5k (3.1 miles). In doing so, CCC proves itself once again to be an excellent community partner, dedicated to serving the greater Parma area and its residents. 

Next, I want to thank our many sponsors, especially UH Parma’s administration and staff, including fellow runner Mark White, who so generously underwrite many of our costs to run the event. David and Daniel Serban from Perla’s Homemade Delights (5380 State Road) and Jon and Zofia Holt from The Little Polish Diner (5772 Ridge Road) were the stars of the day by donating and serving up hundreds of scrumptious pierogies to the crowd. Other sponsors included Dan McCarthy and The Parma Observer, 95.5 Fish FM, On the Spot Dry Cleaning, Regency Luxury Apartments, Broadview Multicare, Chuppa’s Marketplace, Dr. Stanley Meckler’s Family Dental Care, Giant Eagle on Snow and Day Drives, Eat ‘n Park, Marc’s, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Parma Walmart, Unity Catholic Credit Union, Pilat Insurance, Clerk of Courts Martin Vittardi, Mayor Timothy DeGeeter, Parma Councilman Brian Day, Honey Hut, Vertical Runner of Brecksville, Dick’s Sporting Goods, St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Guys Pizza, NewsChannel 5, The Parma Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF), Cuyahoga County Public Libraries, Acme Fresh Markets, F.P. Allega, Antonio’s Restaurant, Questcom Graphics, manager Gary Sikon of Office Max on Snow Road, Clean and Shine Maid Service, Flowerama, Kohl’s, Axelrod Buick/GMC, Dairy Queen, First Federal of Lakewood, J.E.M. Jewelers, Studio Zia, YMCA of Greater Cleveland, and the Stefaniuk Realty Team at Howard Hanna. 

I also want to thank the many volunteers who came out to make the event another great success, including my co-director Gary Uveges, our official photographers, Trish Uveges, Anita Orenick, and Rob Erick, as well as Kevin Leigh, Russ Fischer, Anna Marie and Bill Donley, Jane and Kristy Denton, Susan Sheehan, Joyce Merrill, Mary Ellen Stasek, John Rakauskas, John Visnauskas, Tina and Emily King, Alicia and Alyssa Benel, Chris Stauffer, Chad and Kyra Davis, Jennifer Madercic, Dave and Sharon Zeck, Rick, Denise and Angelina Piccari, Joan Surace, Julie Miragliotta, Pat Apple, Kathy and Rosey Bewley, Brenda Lang, Rudy Stralka, Jacob Durda, Amanda and Allison Pacanovsky, and many others. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not thank my ever supportive wife, Deena, and my wonderful children, Patrick and Colleen. 

Once again this year, we were able to award thousands of dollars to several local charities. In fact, $2,000 was donated to the CCC-Scholarship Foundation, $1,000 each to All Faiths Pantry, the Parma Schools’ Adult Basic Literacy and Education (A.B.L.E.) program, Parma Girl Scouts, the Parma Animal Shelter, and $500 to the City of Parma Fire Safety House. 

Congratulations to all of the finishers, especially Aaron Apathy who came in first place in a time of 15:13. That translates into about 4:53 per mile. Stephanie Madercic of Parma came in as the first female, posting 19:27 or about 6:16 per mile. Aaron continues to hold the course record, breaking his previous record again. Both received a prize pack from Vertical Runner and Dick’s. 

It is not too early to start planning for next year’s race, which will take place on Saturday, July 5, 2016. If you are interested in participating, volunteering, or sponsoring the event next year, please contact me at pierogie5k@gmail.com or 440-884-0489.  Visit us online at www.hermes.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @pierogie5k. Tax deductible donations may be made to the Parma Charitable Fund and mailed to 6306 Hampstead Avenue, Parma, Ohio 44129.

Sean Brennan

Parma City Council President Sean Brennan

Read More on News
Volume 7, Issue 10, Posted 2:11 PM, 10.02.2015