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Palladino: Numbers up, race a success
By Joe Palladino
Republican-American
 Over 400 runners take off past the YMCA during the start of the 37th Annual Fischang-Cicchetti Memorial Run in Waterbury |
On the men's side, Phil Cawkwell of Bedford, N.Y. made a stirring Fischang-Cicchetti debut. The 22-year-old graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who is taking a year off to run road races before going on to medical school, ran the event's second-fastest time ever, 24:26, since the race moved to downtown Waterbury in 1993. That five-mile record is 24:19, set by Gerallt Owen in 1995. Cawkwell's time bettered that of two-time winner Simon Peter of Kenya (24:29, 1999).
But the best numbers of all were not times, but total entries. There were, by last count, 414 runners who started the race Sunday. Anything approaching 300 thrills the race directors, but the warm, sunny weather, and a successful YMCA program for beginning runners helped boost numbers significantly for the now middle-aged road race.
SOUTHBURY TRUST FUND AWARDS GREATER WATERBURY YMCA
BY CHRIS GARDNER REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
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| Contributed The Southbury Community Trust Fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $22,300 to five area nonprofits that serve Southbury. Recipients included the Greater Waterbury YMCA, which received a $15,000 grant to offer Leaders Club and youth and government programs to middle and high school students in Southbury. Pictured, from left, are Donald Kimber, trust fund advisory committee member; Shirley Michaels, advisory committee chairwoman; Lexi Allen, YMCA outdoor program director; Jim O'Rourke, YMCA executive director; Carol O'Donnell, associate CEO, Connecticut Community Foundation; Janice Creighton, advisory committee member; and Rabbi Eric Polokoff, advisory committee member. Browse for Republican American Reprints |
SOUTHBURY — Five area nonprofits that serve Southbury will split $22,300 from the Southbury Community Trust Fund.
The fund, an endowed fund of the Connecticut Community Foundation in Waterbury, gave grants to the Southbury Women's Club, Pomperaug High School, Sacred Heart Church, Southbury Faith in Action and Greater Waterbury YMCA.
"The efforts funded by these grants address such critical needs in our community," said Shirley Michaels, chairwoman of the trust fund's advisory committee. "We are able to help our fellow residents who are facing hard times, and offer our young people opportunities for learning, leadership and community service. We are especially pleased because these grants correlate so highly to the fund's priorities."
Thanks to the $15,000 grant from SCTF, the Greater Waterbury YMCA will be able to offer its Leaders Club and Youth and Government programs to middle and high school students in Southbury.
"Expanding our efforts to serve Southbury youth is a priority of the YMCA," noted Executive Director Jim O'Rourke. "We look forward to our partnership with the Connecticut Community Foundation in meeting their needs."
He added, "We are excited to bring two programs to Southbury that we know will be successful with young people in town because they will be actively involved in their design and implementation."
YMCA Leaders Club provides opportunities for leadership training, personal growth, service to others, and social development. Teens meet on a weekly basis in small groups, working closely with their peers and a counselor on planning and organizing club projects.
The YMCA Youth and Government Program is designed to introduce students in grades 9-12 to the organization and function of the Connecticut General Assembly by participating in a mock legislative session. Delegates may participate as elected officials, representatives, senators, press corps members, or lobbyists.