Post Classifieds
Buffalo runs in solidarity for Boston victims
By Katie Anderson
On April 24, 2013
American flags, patriotic music and sympathetic hearts filled Delaware Park on Sunday as the
Buffalo community took over the track in a solidarity run for the Boston Marathon bombing.
People from all over Western New York were welcomed to walk or run in in the park. They
were encouraged to donate money to either the American Red Cross or One Fund Boston, a
nationwide fundraiser set up by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom
Menino to help people affected by the Boston Marathon bombing April 15.
"We're taking donations for the One Fund Boston and the American Red Cross," volunteer Erin
Reedy said. "They're optional donations, but people have been very generous with their money
today."
Elizabeth Weinberg, organizer of the run, said she is a runner who was on her way out for a run
when she heard about the bombings taking place in Boston.
"I watched the news for a bit, got overwhelmed and had to go for a run," she said.
While running, Weinberg said she remembered a similar event that her friend Julia Burke
organized during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which inspired her to put something
together for the Boston tragedy.
"While I was on my run, I sent her a message, she got back to me, we said 'Let's do it,' and it's
really just snowballed from there," Weinberg said. "The response has been overwhelming. It's
amazing, I can't believe all these people."
Weinberg said that she was happy to see a large amount of student runners participate as well.
"I have seen a lot of students out," she said. "I had some students get in touch with me
about volunteering and that's been a big help. I know that there is a strong student running
community."
Before the race began, the tune "God Bless America" was played on bagpipes. As the runners
took off, the national anthem rang through speakers set up on the side of the track.
Two tables were set up for the runners, one with water and refreshments, the other with
#RunForBoston t-shirts, which were donated by the company You and Who. Runners could
purchase the t-shirts for $20 and all the proceeds went to One Fund Boston.
Run by president and founder Dan Gigante, You and Who is a t-shirt company that always
donates a shirt for every one that is purchased. Gigante said that they sold out of all 310 t-shirts
that he ordered for the event.
He is a friend of Weinberg's and was happy to help out with the solidarity run.
"Beth, the organizer is a friend of mine and she asked us to provide the shirts," Gigante said.
"We decided to donate all the profits we make today to One Fund Boston."
Blue Cross Blue Shield was also represented at the park with employees handing out American
flags and cheering on the runners.
"We just like to remind and encourage people to do healthy things, so when we heard about
this, we just had to be here," Julie Snyder, Blue Cross Blue Shield representative, said. "We just
think this is a great symbol of how this city is amazing and supportive."
Snyder said that although the running community is strong and was represented well at the run,
she saw several non-runners, as well.
"People are walking with their kids or their dogs and they just want to be aligned with this,"
she said. "Blue Cross as a health plan, is always glad to support anything healthy, and this is
community health."
Katie Anderson can be reached by email at anderson.record@live.com or on Twitter
@katetheskate91.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
Students donate shoes, raise money for Boston bombing victims
Buffalo State's Evergreen program is teaming up with the nonprofit Herding for the Hurting in collecting donated shoes to raise money ...
Chartwells plans campus food truck
The food truck phenomenon has made its way to campus as the route, menu and name of a new Chartwells truck will be decided on by ...
USG sens motion 'no confidence'
Correction: In light of new information learned following the publishing of the original version of this story, The Record would like ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
- Keeping Cool and Energy-efficient Amid America’s “...
- Addressing Sarcopenia with a Healthy Diet
- Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
- Family Teacher Conference Topics Beyond Academics
- Youth Take Down Tobacco
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads to Kickoff Spring
- Curbing Colorectal Cancer in Minority Populations
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
