Be an Angel and Run

Be an Angel and Run

The MAC Angels Foundation’s tenth annual Hot Cocoa Run and Dog Walk will be held at Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle on December 1. With over 400 families, athletes, and four-legged friends expected, the event promises to raise funds and spirits.

MAC Angels is a nonprofit organization that provides services and programs to enhance the quality of life for families with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), an incurable motor neuron disease. The group helps find in-home caregivers, build ramps, provide rides to clinic appointments and medical equipment, as well as offer emotional support. This year, the Cocoa Run needs more volunteers and sponsorships than ever to ensure its success.

There are 10K, 5K, and 1 mile races up for grabs, as well as a dog walk. Afterwards, everyone is served a cup of hot cocoa brewed in a cast-iron cauldron over an open fire. Former endurance athlete Andrea Luongo started this grassroots event with ten friends in her driveway in New Rochelle in 2008, and the momentum has built steadily ever since.

“The Foundation is greatly impacted by events like the Hot Cocoa Run and Dog Walk,” said Program Director Ellen DiCicco. “All the money raised goes to our families with ALS who are in desperate need. It also greatly heightens awareness about a disease that does not discriminate, as it affects every age and race. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and another person passes away. Together we can make a difference.”

For donation and registration information, visit runsignup.com/Race/NY/NewRochelle/HotCocoaRun. To volunteer, email Hotcocoarun@gmail.com.