Smithtown, NY - April 16th, 2015 - Smithtown West High School Junior Rachel Gladstone is stepping up to make a difference in her community, organizing, in conjunction with the Girls Scouts of Suffolk County, the first Sunken Meadow Recycling Project 5K Race and Half Mile Run Fun for Kids at Sunken Meadow State Park on Saturday, June 13, 2015. With all money raised going toward the purchase of  recycling bins for Sunken Meadow State Park to improve our environment, the event will kick off with its Half Mile Fun Run for Kids from 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m., which will be followed by a 5K Race for everyone at 10:00 a.m.

As a member of Girl Scouts Troop Number 295 eager to get involved with a large service fundraising project for bettering her community as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, Gladstone discovered her calling upon visiting Sunken Meadow State Park with her high school cross country team. Her concept for the Sunken Meadow Recycling Project 5K Race and Half Mile Run Fun for Kids was realized from her recognizing the need for large scale recycling programs within today’s parks in order to stop the influx of plastic bottles and cans ending up in garbage cans at our parks and subsequently in our oceans and landfills.  

“Through this event it is my hope that we generate more awareness of this park-wide recycling problem and that our recycling bin initiative inspires other parks to follow suit,” says Gladstone. “We all have a responsibility to preserve our future. It is important that we all pitch in and do our part for bringing about change when and where needed. I hope that everyone takes advantage of participating in this event for enjoying the nice weather and our beautiful park while making a difference to improve our environment.”

“Rachel’s dedication and passion for generating environmental awareness are evident in her Gold Award Project,” says Yvonne Grant, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. “Girl Scouts pledge to use resources wisely, and Rachel’s project reminds us that environmental conservation is a pivotal step to creating a greener and more sustainable world.”

Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. An Award Ceremony from 11:30 am - 12:00 p.m. will be held to recognize top overall male and top overall female as well as top three males and top three females within each age category. Age categories will include: 13 and under, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and up.

An "Early Bird Special" admission rate of $20.00 per person for the 5K Race is available until May 1, 2015; admission is $25.00 per person after May 1 and is $30 at the door the day of the event. Registration for the 5K Race includes free admission of children ages 10 and under for the 1/2 Mile Fun Run for Kids, which will feature a fun-filled obstacle course creatively made of recycled products. A signature T-Shirt is also included (while supplies last).  

The upcoming fundraising community event has already garnered sponsorship support from local businesses, including Seaford Paint Place/Benjamin Moore of Seaford, Sands at Atlantic Beach, RJ Painting Inc. of Amityville, Ugell & Sommers CPA of Garden City, Antique Equities of Lynbrook, Crazy Crepe Café of Smithtown, Smithtown Running Company of Smithtown, and Batteries Plus Bulbs of Commack. Additional sponsorship opportunities, along with that of volunteering, are available and welcome.

For more information about the Sunken Meadow Recycling Project 5K Race and Half Mile Run Fun for Kids, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities and/or to register, click here, or email sunkenmeadowrecyclingproject@gmail.com. 
                                                                      

Pictured: Sunken Meadow State Park Director Jeffrey J. Mason meets with Smithtown West High School Junior Rachel Gladstone to review plans for Gladstone’s first Sunken Meadow Recycling Project 5K Race and Half Mile Run Fun for Kids taking place at Sunken Meadow State Park on Saturday, June 13, 2015, which Gladstone is organizing in conjunction with Girls Scouts of Suffolk County as part of her Girls Scout Gold Award.  All money raised will go toward the purchase of recycling bins for Sunken Meadow State Park to improve our environment.