5K Run/Walkathon to Raise Funds for Two Worthy Causes

March 30, 2009

PATCHOGUE, NY MARCH 31, 2009 On Sunday, April 26, 2009, St. Josephs College and The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation will come together for two separate, but equally significant causes as they join forces and participate in a 5K Run/Walkathon to raise money in the name of charity.

St. Josephs College and its Alumni Association will be walking to benefit the Thomas J. Wendt Scholarship. Named for former employee who was dedicated to volunteerism and charitable causes, Tom Wendt 88 was active in various student organizations during his tenure at the College, including the Student Government Association, Circle K Club and Campus Ministry. After his passing in 2004, St. Josephs College established a memorial scholarship in his name to benefit students who play an active part in the College and the surrounding community.

The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation was founded in 2004 by St. Josephs College alumnus, Matt Barbis 94, after the abduction and murder of his 11-year-old cousin, Carlie Jane Brucia in Sarasota, Florida. Since its inception, the foundation has been educating children around the nation about potentially dangerous encounters with strangers using their educational puppet show. With the goal of decreasing the number of child abductions in the United States, the foundation has presented their puppet show to over 26,000 children across 27 school districts.

Registration for the 5K Run/Walkathon will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the faculty parking lot of the Long Island Campus of St. Josephs College, located at 155 West Roe Boulevard, Patchogue, New York. The route will go through the Village of Patchogue and end back at the parking lot. For more information or to register, please call Matthew Colson in the Office of Alumni Relations at 631.447.3215, visit www.sjny.edu/alumni or www.rosebrucia.org.