Andrew McMorris Memorial Walkathon And 5K Run Honors Scout Killed

CALVERTON, NY — The community will come together to honor the memory of Andrew McMorris, 12, of Wading River, who died in 2018 when a drunk driver plowed into his Boy Scout troop while they were out on a hike in Manorville.

The Andrew McMorris Memorial Walkathon and 5K Run will be held on Saturday, March 28, starting at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, located at 1774 Sound Avenue in Calverton and ending at the McMorris Lodge within the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp. Reservations, registrations, and pledge forms are now being accepted and are available here.

The McMorris Memorial Walkathon and 5K Run will take place on Baiting Hollow Scout Camp trails and roads.

The McMorris Family, along with the Suffolk County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, are hosting the Walkathon and 5K Run to raise the funds needed to complete the McMorris Lodge, which is under construction at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp in memory of Andrew, a release said.

It was "justice for Andrew" in December as a jury found Thomas Murphy, 60, guilty on all counts in the crash that killed Andrew; Murphy faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison based on the charges against him, the district attorney's office said.

The Boy Scouts, the release said, had been hiking the Greenbelt Trail with his Boy Scout Troop 161 in September, 2018; several other Scouts were severely injured in the crash. "The lives of his family, friends, community and fellow Scouters were forever changed by Andrew’s loss," the release said.

The schedule for the Andrew McMorris Memorial Walkathon and 5K Run, rain or shine, is as follows:

- 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.: Registration at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp

- 8:45 a.m.: Warm up

- 9 a.m.: Walkathon and 5K runners begin

All walkers and runners will enjoy a complimentary barbecue at the camp at the conclusion of the walkathon and run, donated by Applebee’s. North Fork Trolley Company will be donating their services and providing complimentary shuttle service from, and back to, the camp from the designated parking area for the event.

Those who are unable to walk or run at the event are welcomed to join many virtual walkers by clicking here.

“The McMorris family is honored and touched that the Boy Scouts of America - Suffolk County Council are paying tribute to our son, Andrew, in naming the new lodge at the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp after him," John and Alisa McMorris, Andrew's parents, said in a statement. "Andrew loved being a Boy Scout with his fellow Scouts in Troop 161. He lived his life by the Scout Oath and Scout Law and one of his dreams was to become an Eagle Scout, so the naming of the lodge has a deep and special meaning to all of us who loved Andrew."

They added: "We are incredibly grateful that the Suffolk County Council is paying homage to Andrew and his love for the Scouts in this amazing way. The McMorris Lodge will be a place to honor his life and Scouting spirit along with serving scouts for decades to come with a space where they can grow, learn and have experiences that will enrich their lives."

The McMorris family added that they are thrilled to be a part of the Andrew McMorris Memorial Walkathon and 5K. "We look forward to helping raise funds to finish the lodge, for the Andrew McMorris Foundation and the Suffolk County Council Endowment Fund as well as honoring the life and memory of our beautiful son Andrew McMorris. Fly high, Andrew!” they said.

Donna Lillie, Chair of the McMorris Memorial Walkathon and 5K Run said she is proud to be coordinating the event to honor Andrew's memory.

There are sponsorship opportunities available; for additional information, contact Michael Tretola at mtretola@silvercrest.org or at 631-741-6409, or contact McMorris Memorial Walkathon and 5K Run Chair Donna Lillie at dmlillie.bsa@gmail or 631-774-8074.