Marathon for a Better Life, the organization that helps Schoharie County cancer patients, got a huge boost last week.
Lancaster Development in Richmondville donated $100,000 to Marathon, and that’s only the first installment on a $300,000 total donation.
“It’s phenomenal. . .we’re speechless,” said Marathon President Cheri Stevens.
Marathon gives money, no questions asked, to local cancer patients (See related story), and depends entirely on donations.
It’s Marathon’s local focus and quick response that led Lancaster owners and brothers Mark and Marty Galasso to make the massive contribution.
There’s a personal angle, too. Their mother, Janice, and sister, Marsa, both died of breast cancer, and both were also involved with Marathon.
The Galassos’ donation stemmed from a wildly successful fundraiser with companies that work with Lancaster in road construction.
A good business friend, Tom Longe of D.A. Collins Construction, had a daughter, Michal, who died of cystic fibrosis.
The Galasso brothers and Mr. Longe decided to host a golf fundraiser and split the proceeds for their favorite charities. Other construction companies, vendors, suppliers and co-workers signed on.
Lancaster and Collins put in their own money to pay for the golf tournament so all the proceeds would go to the charities.
“We were hoping for maybe $200,000,” Mark Galasso said. “When we got $600,000. . .well, we were just floored by the support from the industry.”
And there was never any doubt Lancaster’s half of the proceeds would go to Marathon.
“Our mom and sister were very involved with Marathon,” Mr. Galasso said. “It’s 100 percent Schoharie County. It’s all volunteer and doesn’t even have an office.
“All the money goes to people with cancer. Marathon gets money to people who need it. They give people a sense of hope and help restore their dignity.”
And there’s more.
“We wanted to make a big donation for the shock value to put Marathon on the map,” Mr. Galasso said. “People have to know about it.”
Marathon directors were aware they’d be the beneficiary of the tournament, but they didn’t know the amount.
“We thought $50,000, $75,000, and we’d be, ‘Holy smokes,’ ” said Marathon Vice President Donna Lavigne. “We just couldn’t believe it.”
Every June, Marathon hosts its “marathon”––a day-long fundraising walk that regularly nets about $100,000.
The Lancaster donation won’t take the place of the June event or other fundraising.
This year, Ms. Stevens said, Marathon has already given away $90,000, more than double what it normally gives to patients.
“Part is the economy; people need more help now,” Ms. Lavigne said. “And part of it is our notoriety. People know what we do now.”
Ms. Stevens agreed.
“There’s always going to be a need, and we’re always going to need your help,” she said.
Lancaster is making the donation over three years because of state law, Mr. Galasso said.
If a 501(c)3 organization, which Marathon is, has more than $250,000, it must pay for a detailed audit.
“We don’t want Marathon to pay $10,000 or $15,000 for an audit,” Mr. Galasso said. “We want every nickel to go to cancer patients, and it will.”
The D.A. Collins share of the benefit is going to a regional organization that helps cystic fibrosis patients, Mr. Galasso said.