Runners and walkers are invited to take part in the 10th annual Debbie Moschello 4-Leaf Clover 5K Run/Walk, scheduled for Saturday, March 21 at East Moriches Middle School.
The event begins at 9 a.m., rain or shine, at the school located at 9 Adelaide Avenue in East Moriches. The annual race is organized by the Seatuck Cove Rotary Club and serves as one of the group’s major fundraisers supporting scholarships and community assistance programs.
Rotary Club President Ro Gencarelli said the event has grown into an important tradition for the organization and the local community.
“This is our tenth year running the race,” Gencarelli said. “The money we raise goes right back into the community. Almost every year we’ve been able to give five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from the schools in our district.”
Those scholarships rotate among students from the Westhampton Beach, East Moriches and Eastport-South Manor school districts. Gencarelli said many recipients have shared how the funds helped them purchase books or cover part of their college tuition.
Proceeds from the race also help the Rotary Club provide assistance to local families during the holidays. Each year the club adopts families in need and provides gifts and necessities for parents and children during the Christmas season.
“If we have any funds left after the scholarships, we use that money to help families around Christmas time,” Gencarelli said. “This year we helped two families with several children, and sometimes we also assist a senior citizen who may need a little extra help.”
The race was renamed last year in memory of Debbie Moschello, a longtime Rotary member and club secretary who passed away. Moschello worked as a nurse and served at Camp Paquatuck, and the race now honors her commitment to community service.
Organizers hope to attract about 200 participants this year. Early registration is already underway, with dozens of runners signed up in the first weeks. Participants can register online at events.elitefeats.com/264leafclover.