After submitting his entry into Astoria Federal Savings Bank’s Favorite Accomplishment Contest rather early, Chris Ellis – a 29-year-old Astoria resident and director of advancement at St. Raymond High School – was surprised to see that he won. It had been a few months since he briefly penned his accomplishments raising money for different charities through the Woodlawn Run for a Cause
“I forgot about it for a while but when I saw that I won, I was really excited,” said Ellis. “I tried to fit as much in there about the race and the motivation behind it.”
Astoria Federal Savings Bank received hundreds of submissions for the Favorite Accomplishment Contest – which asked customers to share stories of their own personal best. Five winners were sent $250 gift cards in recognition of their accomplishments. Ellis said he used that money for new sneakers and some personal effects.
Over the last four years, the Woodlawn Run for a Cause has had over 575 people complete the 3.1 mile pre-set course. A $2,500 donation was made to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund in 2007, $2,600 was donated to the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in 2008, $3,000 was donated to the Compassionate Care Hospice in 2009 and $4,200 was donated to Part of the Solution last year.
This year, Ellis has organized the annual race to be held on Saturday, September 17 at 10 a.m. with all proceeds going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer.
If you would like to contribute to or participate in this year’s race, contact Chris Ellis at 914-433-0926, email cellis914@yahoo.com or visit the Woodlawn Run for a Cause Facebook page.
“As difficult as it was to select just a handful of winners, we were amazed by the remarkable accomplishments that people shared with us,” said Brian Edwards, Senior Vice President/Director of Marketing for Astoria Federal. “All of our contest participants should be proud of their efforts. They are truly an inspiration.”
