D'Amico Fun/Run/Walk Held

(L. to r.): Queens County Clerk and Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens Board Member Gloria D'Amico; Men's First Place Winner Marcos Avendano; Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens Board President Thomas J. Nowierski; Men's Second Place Winner Evaristo Roldan; Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.; Women's Second Place Winner Stephany Roldan; Women's First Place Winner Angela Gonzalez; Senior/Adult Power Walk Winner; First Place Winner, Ages 6 to 9 Group Jaylene Rivera, and Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens Executive Director Rodney M. Fuller. The 2007 Hon. Gloria D'Amico Fun/Run/Walk, billed as a family event that encourages healthy living, began at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 16, with runners and walkers from all corners of the borough of Queens assembled at the running track in Astoria Park for the 3K run-walk. The event, named for D'Amico, Queens County Clerk, offered competition levels, including races and power walks, for entrants of all ages.

The Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens and Consolidated Edison, co-sponsors of the Fun/Run/Walk, offered free tee-shirts to participants and awarded prizes to the winners. D'Amico is a member of the board of the Variety Boys & Girls Club.

The Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys & Girls Club of Astoria, established in 1955, is a not-for-profit corporation serving area youth in a 25,000-square-foot, professionally staffed, full service facility located at 21-12 30th Rd. The founders of the club, of whom D'Amico was one, believed then and now that in every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets and an increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. The club offers a safe place for the community's children, with an indoor pool, a gymnasium, a game room, a computer room, a library and assorted activity rooms. Services provided to more than 1,750 youngsters through a full- and part-time staff and legions of volunteers include homework assistance, tutoring, sports and recreation, aquatics, arts & crafts, fine arts, music, karate, performing arts and game room activities. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

The club is available for the young people of the neighborhood Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A club membership donation of $12 per child is recommended.