Stayin’ Alive 5K Returns to Armonk to Help Emergency Services
If Michele Berliner and Christy Saltstein had a bit of uneasiness when they decided to organize a 5K race around their Windmill Farm community in Armonk last spring it would have been understandable.
Although the pair of running enthusiasts had previously organized running events, establishing a new race can sometimes be daunting. However, the day turned out to be a rousing success with about 185 runners and walkers participating.
“It was so gratifying watching it all come together the way we envisioned it coming together,” Berliner said.
This Saturday morning Berliner and Saltstein’s event returns with the help of a roster of volunteers, assistance from the town and the hope of at least a couple hundred runners for the second annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run. All money raised will be distributed by the nonprofit organization Stayin’ Alive in the form of grants of up to $5,000 each to police and fire departments and ambulance corps in northern Westchester.
Departments throughout the region, not just in North Castle, must submit an application between May 31 and July 29 to be in contention. The money will be for equipment or other items not included in the departments’ operating budgets.
As challenging as organizing the inaugural event may have been, it paled in comparison to the challenges faced by Berliner’s and Saltstein’s husbands after Superstorm Sandy. Early in the evening of Oct. 29, 2012, Andrew Berliner and Doug Saltstein were struck by a falling utility pole near their Windmill Farm homes.
During the height of the storm, the Armonk Fire Department and North Castle Police Department, along with the town’s highway department, worked together to rush the two seriously injured men to Northern Westchester Hospital despite numerous road closures caused by downed trees and power lines.
Berliner and Saltstein were so grateful for the first responders’ efforts in helping to save their husbands’ lives that they were determined to show their appreciation. First they catered a dinner at the firehouse, but wanted to do more. As avid runners, a 5K with proceeds going to the emergency services seemed appropriate.
Last year the event raised about $14,000, Saltstein said. The money has been sitting in an interest-bearing waiting for Stayin’ Alive to officially receive nonprofit status. Now that it has that designation, the money from both years will be distributed after the grant application period is over.
“We want to make sure we fully understand the process and have control of it so we’re creating something that’s going to last,” Saltstein said. “I think that’s our biggest thing. We don’t want this to be a five-year project, we want this to be an ongoing project and have other towns build on it.”
As of last week there were about 145 runners registered with more expected this week. Registration is expected to top last year’s turnout.
This year there are three sponsors–the Byram Hills Preschool Association, the Banksville Volunteer Fire Department and L3 Fitness in Chappaqua.
The best news is that Berliner’s and Saltstein’s husbands have returned to work, although both are still going through physical therapy.
“They’re recovery continues. It’s not over,” Berliner said. “They’re both working and I think both are very passionate considering the obstacles that they face.”
“I think it’s fair to say, though, that they’ve had to adapt to some of the changes they’ve had to face,” Saltstein added.
The women have worked with the police and the Water and Sewer departments because of the ongoing Windmill water main replacement project. Participants should look for volunteers who will help them navigate around the construction.
Registration for the race, which begins at 8 a.m. near the Windmill clubhouse at 10 Maple Way, can be completed online at www.stayinalive.org. It costs $25 to register online and $35 the morning of the event. A shorter Fun Run for children will take place shortly after the start of the 5K and costs $10.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
