Don't Miss: 5K/1M Run-Walk Event For All Ages In Rockland

NANUET, NY — Sign up now for the 5K Race/Walk sponsored by the Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce for a good cause and a fun-filled day of community spirit.

The May 7 event is meant to raise money for Nanuet & Beyond’s scholarship/grant program and related educational activities. Nanuet & Beyond is a spin-off, started by the Chamber to focus on educational programs and projects around Nanuet while the Chamber focused on local businesses.

The Chamber was re-launched in 2013.

"The first couple of years we were all over the place," George Mollo, one of the original members, told Patch. "We were doing a lot of business things, we were doing a lot with the school district. Then we said 'wait a minute, the Chamber should be focused on business, why don’t we create a 501c3 to focus on the schools?'"

They named their new nonprofit Nanuet & Beyond, because the vision since the beginning has stretched beyond the hamlet. As the website says, it was "created to support and provide educational opportunities for our youth that enhance existing program experiences both within and outside the classroom. Further, Nanuet and Beyond supports community education opportunities for all groups, with the objective of enhancing the quality of life for those living in Nanuet and the surrounding communities."

The new nonprofit expanded the Chamber's high-school grant program to include graduating seniors from Clarkstown's two high schools as well as Nanuet Senior High School, Mollo said.

The other major thing they do is promote art in the Nanuet schools. For the past nine years, they've sponsored an annual show. Nanuet teachers work with the students throughout the year on a particular theme. In late winter, the teachers select the best 110 pieces, which then go to a panel of volunteer judges put together by Nanuet & Beyond. All are put on exhibit at the Palisades Center for two weeks, and then at a reception for students, parents, teachers, local officials and judges, prizes are awarded to one artist from each school and one overall "best in show," Mollo said.

"Next year being our 10th, we’ll try to make even a bigger deal about it," he said.

During the pandemic, the group raised money selling 'we support our health-care worker' signs and, with help from the Chamber, took food care packages to front-line workers from police to the post office. Again this year, they'll host the rides at the Nanuet Street Fair. That's June 4, by the way.

They want to grow. "We called it Nanuet & Beyond to reach beyond the hamlet but it’s a slow slog," Mollo said.

Now, about the 5K.

It's open to all ages. Age groups for the run/walk include: Up to 14 years, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. Register here.

The race will start and finish in front of Nanuet High School. There's also a one-mile walk available for those who prefer a shorter course, and even a virtual 5K that can be completed at your own pace, outside, on a treadmill, or in your neighborhood.

The top male and female overall finishers in the 5K race will receive a $50 Gift Certificate, second-place overall finishers will receive a $25 GC, and third-place overall finishers will receive a $15 GC.