Turkey Trot helps bring toys to hospitalized kids

A 5k Turkey Trot to raise money for the Matthew Fetzer Holiday Toy Drive brought in nearly $2,500 this past weekend in the Village of Bayville, according to recreation director Eric Karahalis.

The funds generated by the inaugural run will go toward toys for children who are in the hospital during the holiday season. The event was organized in memory of Matthew Fetzer, a Bayville boy who died of cancer at the age of 10 in 2005 after fighting the disease for seven years.

A free frozen turkey was awarded to the male and female winners. Brian Crowley, 36, of West Hempstead, was the first-place male runner with a time of 18:22, and Karen Pompay, 40, of Garden City, was the first female finisher with a time of 19:32.

People of all ages joined the race Saturday morning through West Harbor Memorial Beach. Nine-year-old Sean Reidy was the youngest finisher, with a time of 25:44, and 77-year-old Nina Jennings was the oldest, with a time of 30:46. 

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