Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the third annual JKW Live Well Foundation 5K run/walk, taking place in Bay Shore on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The race honors Joseph Keenan Walser, a 2019 Bay Shore High School graduate who died in September 2021.
Joseph’s parents, John and Kathleen Walser, of Bay Shore, and his siblings, Jack, Kerry and Luke, started the JKW Live Well Foundation to honor Joseph, a star lacrosse player at Bay Shore High School. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the Bay Shore area and beyond.
“He was a good, kind-hearted person who wanted to make sure everyone around him was living well,” said Gianine DeSimone of Brightwaters, a foundation board member and board secretary.
“More than anything, Joe loved his friends, his family, and lacrosse,” said foundation president Jen Hart in an email. “The foundation reflects those values, working to empower young people and families by providing hope, promoting health, and creating opportunities.”
About 400 runners and walkers participated in last year’s 5K, DeSimone said. She expects even more to participate this year.
“The run is our big fundraising event,” DeSimone said. “It’s a really big community event.”
Last year’s 5K raised about $40,000, with $25,000 going to Samaritan Daytop Village to expand its digital music and robotics programs.
Proceeds from the 5K also support the American Boy Project and Christmas Magic, an annual December brunch for needy families held in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Parish in Bay Shore.
The race will start and finish at Bay Shore Marina (142 S. Clinton Avenue), next to Joe’s Bench, dedicated by friends of the Walser family in Joe’s memory.
The race starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $40 (free for kids 12 and younger) and includes a T-shirt, coffee and bagels, and post-race sandwiches. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register at jkwlivewell.org.
