Run for Huntington's Underprivleged Kids this Sunday at the YMCA

Run for underprivileged and abused children this Sunday

The 4th annual Marcie Mazzola Memorial 5k run/walk will be held on Sunday April 11, at the YMCA in Huntington.  The Marcie Mazzola Foundation’s mission is to “help better the lives of abused and at-risk children and to rebuild community awareness regarding the needs of children.”  Proceeds raised by the race will be used to send underprivileged children to the Huntington YMCA’s summer camp.  The run/walk starts at 8:30 and the kids fun run starts at 8 am. call 631-858-1855 for more info.or visit www.marciemazzolafoundation.org

There is nothing more terrifying for a parent then the thought of their child being sexually molested or a victim of a fatal accident.  The Mazzola family experienced both and now their mission is to help  other children in Marcie’s name.

According to their website, the Marcie Mazzola Foundation was established in 2003 by Marcie’s family. On July 6, 2002 Marcie died in an automobile accident. Although she was only 21 at the time of her death, Marcie had experienced many things and touched many lives. She was a beautiful young woman whose inner beauty surpassed even her physical beauty because of her compassionate nature and treatment of others.

At the time of her death Marcie was involved in a civil lawsuit against a school bus driver who sexually abused her when she was 11 years old. Prior to her death, it had been expected that the case would be won, but after her death the outcome of the case looked uncertain at best.  Marcie’s attorney met with her family to discuss whether the suit should be continued. He told the family how Marcie had confided in him that if she won, she wanted to donate the entire award to help sexually and physically abused children. Now that the family was privy to Marcie’s intention, they had no doubt that the suit had to continue.  In spite of the long odds the Mazzolas prevailed. With her attorney’s guidance and continued support, the family used the award to establish a foundation as a tribute to Marcie’s life.