Lace up those sneakers.
The Fourth Annual South Queens Juvenile Diabetes Walk-A-Thon to Cure Diabetes in Howard Beach will take place this Saturday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. – starting at the Ave Maria Catholic Academy. Participants can begin to register at 9 a.m.
The goal of the walk is to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF), which will go toward researching a cure for Juvenile Diabetes.
The three mile/5k walk is sponsored by The International Society of Saints Cosma and Damiano, and will feature Goumba Johnny of radio station KTU; Joe Causi from 101.1 WCBS FM; Tony Sirico, best known for playing “Paulie Walnuts” on “The Sopranos”; and local politicians. Pedro Beato, a Mets relief pitcher from Queens, might possibly appear as well, according to Joe De Candia – the walk’s organizer.
A free breakfast provided by Panera Bread will be available, De Candia said, and Applebees will supply hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.
The 101.1 Street Team will have a booth set up and will broadcast from the Walk, which starts in Old Howard Beach. There will also be clowns, balloon artists and rides. Sparky the Dragon, the New York Islanders mascot, and the Islanders Ice Girls will appear as well, De Candia said.
Since the walk began in 2009, it has raised more than $100,000 to donate to JDRF. This year, De Candia said they hope to reach $100,000, with the state of the economy.
“Hopefully we achieve our goal,” he said.
