By Nathan Duke
A Queens Village couple will take part in a walk Sunday to raise funds for Bayside’s St. Mary’s Hospital in memory of their son, who died two years ago and had received treatment at the hospital.
Ellis “Big L” and Stacy Preddy, of Queens Village, will take part in St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children’s sixth annual walk May 17. The Preddy family founded a biker organization called “Mizz City Rydaz” that raises money and awareness for the children’s hospital to honor their son, Ellis Jr., who died in August 2007.
Ellis Preddy Jr. had gone to St. Mary’s to undergo rehabilitation for breathing problems.
“We started walking last year as a way of mourning,” Stacy Preddy said. “It was a way we could try to deal with our grief. St. Mary’s was really good to us through the years and did wonderful work with our son. So, this is the best way we can keep his memory alive by walking and helping other children.”
Last year, the Preddy family garnered 25 people to walk with them and expects to have more family members and friends on board this year. So far, they have raised $3,000 for the walk.
Participants can take part in either a half−mile or three−mile walk during the event.
The walk, scheduled for May 17, begins at 10 a.m. at Belmont Park in Elmont, L.I., and has raised more than $73,000 so far. Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m., and the walk will be followed by a family fun day, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Activities at the event will include pony rides, inflatable houses, face painting, arts and crafts and live entertainment.
For more information, call 718−281−8890 or visit St. Mary’s Web site at www.stmaryskids.org.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e−mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 156.
