‘God willing, we'll see you next year'

To the editor: The Warwick Lions hosted their 14th Annual Lions Labor Day 5 K Race and Walk to a field of 736 athletes at the Warwick Middle School on Sept. 5.The wonderful people of this community and the surrounding area make our race a family event for which Warwick can be proud. Finishing in this year's race was special for me because, as most of you know, I'm also running for my life against pancreatic cancer. Running to the finish line with my dear husband George, my children, grandchildren, my siblings and many wonderful friends and runners is a feeling I will never forget. The entire day was ‘magical" The love extended and good wishes extended to myself , my husband and my family is something none of us will ever forget. Thank you one and all for the donations to Pan Can, for pancreatic research, which have now reached $12,000 and to the ACS for $2,000. We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support. In keeping with our motto, "We Serve," the Warwick Lions Club will use the proceeds from the race to continue funding the Lions Quest Program currently in place in our schools. The Lions Quest Program focuses on assisting parents and teachers in developing those essential life skills needed to help students succeed as citizens of the 21st Century. A special "thank you" to Coaches Tim St. Lawrence, Mike Potter and Rich Furst for their dedicated enthusiasm. Thank you to my fellow Lions and others in our community who volunteer to help wherever they are needed. The Warwick Leo Club did a great job counting coins and stuffing runners' bags. And the "Official" Guardian Angels of our course, the Warwick Police Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Warwick Fire Department and the Warwick Community Ambulance Service, kept everyone safe. Thank you to the following sponsors and supporters who give so generously to make our race the best in Orange County: Kennedy Companies, Provident Bank, Elmer Platz, PT, Devon Woods Senior Housing, Warwick Valley Council of PTA'S, The Bank of New York, Warwick Grove, Lehman & Getz, Consulting Engineers, Sanford Insurance, Sports Fitness & Fun, Country Chevrolet- Oldsmobile, Inc., Akin's Pharmacy, Inc., Sneakers to Boots, Leo Kaytes Ford, K & W Graphics, ERS Consultants Inc. Warwick Eye Center, ShopRite Supermarkets, Warwick Valley Teachers Association, Emily Rose Realty, The Royal Order of the Secret Society of the Manly Men of Bellvale, the children of Carol and George McManus, the grandchildren of Carol and George McManus, the sisters and brothers of Carol McManus, Ann M. Vogel Insurance, Seely & Durland Inc., Wadeson's Home Center, Stage, Nathans & Ziobro, LLP, MCC Actor Training School, G & T Auto Parts of Warwick, Aflac New York, Pennings Farm Market, Landmark Inn, G'S Restaurant, Riehle Opticians, Jockey Hollow Veterinary Practice, Port of Call, The Inkwell Office Supply Co., Iron Forge Inn, Professional Touch Day Spa, The Toy Chest, The Card Spot, Tuscan Cafe, Warwick Car Wash & Gas, LaPetite Cuisine, Olympus Gym, Frontier Lanes, The Backyard Grill, Forever Jewlers, Newhard's, The Home Source Jean-Claude's Patisserie & Dessert Café, The Bookstore, Angela Murphy Fitness Practitioner, South Street Tire & Auto, Corwin Florist, Iron Mountain Framing, The General's Garden, High Meadow Flower Farm, Warwick General Rental, Dunkin Donuts, Storm DJ's Subtle Energies Holistic Health Center, Fine Products, Fast Finishes Timing, Etched in Time Engraving, WVT Communications and Warwick Town and Village DPW. Thank you again and, God willing, we'll see you next year. Sincerely, Carol and George McManus Race Directors Warwick Lions Labor Day 5K Race