SHIRLEY, N.Y.- The Make-A-Wish Suffolk County Chapter partnered with the Dowling College Athletics Program in hosting the 2nd Annual Walk For Wishes 5K this afternoon at Dowling’s Brookhaven Campus.
Over 200 student-athletes and staff participated in the event which had over 300 runners.
“It’s a special day here at Golden Lions Field. This is an event where our entire Dowling Athletics Department comes together for a great cause,” said Student Athlete Advisory Committee President and baseball player Vinny Orlando.
Prior to the race, Make-A-Wish Suffolk Chapter President and CEO Karine Hollander granted Kellyanne Crovello, a 10 year old girl from East Setauket, N.Y., her wish to go to Hawaii.
“Today we had the opportunity to actually grant a child their wish,” said Student Government Association President and softball player Crystal Targano. “This is the second year we have had the opportunity to be a part of such a great cause. Seeing the faces of all the wish kids is amazing.”
“We pride ourselves in preparing our student-athletes for success in academics, athletics, within the community and in life. This is an event where our student-athletes can see firsthand the results of their efforts. Seeing the emotions of a child being granted their wish is priceless,” said head women’s soccer and lacrosse coach Kerri McCabe.
Continuing its longstanding commitment to philanthropy, in 2003 the NCAA Division II established a national alliance with Make-A-Wish, a global charity that grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. It is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 62 chapters throughout the United States and its territories. Since it’s inception, the Suffolfk Chapter has granted over 2,400 wishes to local wishes with over 120 wishes this year alone.
