The late Gloria D’Amico always encouraged exercise and healthy living.
To honor her, residents of Queens gathered in Astoria Park on Saturday, September 17 for the sixth annual Honorable Gloria D’Amico Fun/Run/Walk.
The event, which was organized by the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens, included a 3K run around Astoria Park for participants of all ages, a power walk for seniors, a quarter of a mile run for teens and a 50 yard dash for young children.
Other attractions were a tug-of-war, blueberry pie eating contest, face painting and bouncy castle. “Gloria D’Amico was a big supporter of the Queens community,” said Terry Hughes, the executive director of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. “She was a board member of the Variety Club, and she wanted to have a day to celebrate health and families. We want to continue honoring her legacy by having this event.”
David Mercado and Denise Ryan were the men’s and women’s first place in the 3K run. Mercado also placed first for the men in the quarter mile sprint, with Guadalupe Roldan crossing the finish line first for the women. Gina Villevera finished first in the senior power walk.
D’Amico, former Queens County Clerk, passed away on December 21, 2010 after a battle with cancer. Her son, Leonard, presented the Variety Club with a $10,000 donation from the D’Amico family at the event’s closing ceremony.
“I think this event recognizes the commitment my mom had to the community,” said Leonard D’Amico.
