Community Corner

Team Finkelstein, 9-1-1 Vets Team Up for LI Marathon

Groups partner to raise money for charity.

The West Hempstead-based “Team Finkelstein” has partnered up with 9-1-1 Veterans for the upcoming Long Island Marathon.

Team Finkelstein represents local 12-year-old Peri Finkelstein, who was born with nemaline rod myopathy, a form of muscular dystrophy. She's in a wheelchair and breathes with the use of a ventilator.

The Long Island-based 9-1-1 Veterans is a is a small non-profit organization dedicated to assisting local veterans.

So how did the two groups partner for the May 4-5 race?

Peri’s mother Lori Finkelstein said that her family met Chris Delaney -- the head of 9-1-1 Veterans -- at the expo prior to the Long Island Marathon two years ago.

“My husband, Paul, ran with the team that same year after meeting him,” Lori said. “Chris Delaney became inspired by Peri after meeting her and reading about her accomplishments over the years.”

Delaney and his team were so inspired that they will be running in honor of Peri the first weekend of May.

Peri and her team will be right alongside her friends at 9-1-1 Veterans during the race through the use of a special needs jogging stroller.

All donations raised by the two teams will go to the children of Chai Lifeline --
Peri's charity that she has helped raise more than $39,000 for over the past four years.


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