5K run/walk, basket raffle to benefit Times Leader executive editor
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WILKES-BARRE — A community event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, at Kirby Park in support of Times Leader Executive Editor Joe Soprano, who is battling esophageal cancer.
Joe’s Early Bird 5K and Walk features a basket raffle, a one-mile walk, and, of course, a 5K run. Proceeds will help Soprano and his family with medical costs.
Amy Feldman and Ellen Meehan, two of Soprano’s friends from the running community, are organizing the event. They’ve been impressed and honored by the substantial support received since its announcement.
“We are just absolutely thrilled — the outpouring of support has been incredible,” Feldman said. “Joe is such a special guy to us, but to see how many other people’s lives he has touched is so heartwarming — he would be the first one to help any one of us — so there was no question that we were going to do anything and everything to help him and his family during what will probably be the toughest time of his life.”
Event details
The entry fee for the 5K run, which begins at 8 a.m., is $30. Registration for the walk, which begins at 8:10 a.m., costs $25. Check-in will begin at 7 a.m.
Registration is open until Thursday, Sept. 19.
Race participants can pick up their packets from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Valley Running Company, 900 Rutter Ave., Forty Fort.
The accompanying raffle, which is available to enter online, features baskets donated by local businesses and community members. Online ticket purchases will extend until 9 a.m. on race day, and the winners will be announced that day. The sole exception is the Penn State football White Out tickets raffle, which will remain open until Oct. 16.
On race day, people can stop by Kirby Park to participate in the basket raffle. Tickets are $2 each, 5 for $3 or 10 for $8.
To donate a basket, reach out to Times Leader Publisher Kerry Miscavage at kmiscavage@www.timesleader.com.
‘Here for Joe’
Miscavage was complimentary of Soprano’s significant contributions to the newspaper over his extensive tenure, which has seen him take on many roles and assignments.
“Joe’s been here for over 35 years. He’s given a lot of his heart and soul for the Times Leader. He has one of the strongest work ethics I’ve ever seen,” said Miscavage.
To her, the Times Leader helping the Soprano family in any way possible was a no-brainer.
“We’re here for Joe. I’m glad that our Times Leader family and community can pull together to help [Joe’s family],” Miscavage added.
Soprano expressed his gratitude to his friends and family for organizing the event and to everyone who contributed, saying he was thrilled with the response.
“It’s really hard to believe the amount of people and all of the support,” he said. “It just keeps growing and growing. … It’s humbling.”
More info
For more information about Joe’s Early Bird 5K Run and Walk, visit https://bit.ly/4gftO7j. To view baskets and purchase raffle tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3AY4FO9.