On Sunday, March 19, 15 members of Team OHEL crossed the finish line at the 2017 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. Despite the extremely cold temperature, Team OHEL cheerleaders provided tons of cheering, music, fan signs and blow horns encouraging all the runners to get to the finish line!

Team OHEL has participated with NYRR as a charity partner in the annual TCS NYC Marathon since 2009 and this was the second year that Team OHEL participated as a charity partner in United Airlines NYC Half.

“We are very appreciative of all of our runners’ fundraising efforts that benefit children and adults with disabilities, foster children and children in domestic-violence shelters,” said Meital Cafri, event coordinator for OHEL.

“Some friends and I from Team OHEL, Sephardic Bikur Holim and Ocean Parkway Runners ran the NYC Half Marathon in memory of Lidya Chami, A”H, who passed away of cancer just a couple of weeks ago,” explains Solly Elmann, a long-time runner with Team OHEL. “Doctors told Lidya she would only have three months to live with stage four cancer, but she was strong enough to make it through seven years. We all decided to honor her memory by wearing ‘Team Lids’ headbands to help spread awareness about the amazing person she was. Lidya was full of life and brought out the best in everyone; she was loved by everyone she knew. Since Lidya also loved running, our group decided to carry her pride with us by challenging ourselves to run beyond the 13.1 Half. We decided to run all the way back to Brooklyn, totaling 26.2 miles. Lidya was with us every step of our run.”

The Lidya Chami A”H Hesed foundation was established in Lidya’s memory and provides services to those dealing with serious illnesses and their families. For more information please visit www.LidyaChami.org

OHEL’s top fundraisers for the Half Marathon were Bruce Prince, Elie Roz and Richard Cohen. Top runners for Team OHEL ranked as follows: first place Richard Cohen (1:38), second place Gabriel Sutton (1:43) and third place Eric Englander (1:44).

While Team OHEL has crossed the finish line, there is still the incredible opportunity to support OHEL. Proceeds from the Half Marathon support OHEL’s children and adults with disabilities, foster children, children and adults in OHEL’s domestic-violence shelters and the many services that OHEL provides to sustain our community.

If you are interested in participating in other Team OHEL events, such as the TD Five Boro Bike Tour (May 7), OHEL Xtreme Challenge OXC (May 21) or the 2017 TCS NYC Marathon (November 5), please contact Meital Cafri at 718-686-3217 or [email protected].

Those who have already secured spots in Team OHEL events are welcome to become part of Team OHEL and support the team’s sponsorship goals. Those who aren’t running can still stay in the race by sponsoring a Team OHEL member or making a contribution.

Since 1969 OHEL has served as a dependable haven of individual and family support, helping people of all ages surmount disability and everyday challenges, heal from trauma and manage with strength and dignity during times of crises. OHEL serves thousands in need every day in communities in New York, New Jersey, California and worldwide. Individuals interested in the many programs that OHEL offers should contact OHEL at 800-603-OHEL (6435). Like us on Facebook at OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services, follow us on Instagram @OHELfamily or visit us at www.OHELfamily.org.