Neither drizzle, nor chill could stop over 300 men, women and children of all abilities from participating in the Second Annual OHEL Xtreme Challenge at Camp Kaylie.
The vision of OXC Committee Founders and Chairmen Ben Englander, Aryeh Jacobson, Jeffrey Schwartz and Etan Kestenbaum is the OHEL Xtreme Challenge—a five-mile and one-and-a-half-mile obstacle course competition. This took place a few weeks ago at the beautiful Camp Kaylie grounds in Wurtsboro, New York. The participants ranged in age from 5 to 65 years old and hailed from the five boroughs, the Five Towns and New Jersey – they ran, climbed, jumped, swam, crawled and muscled their way through this year’s OXC culminating in an exhilarating dash through the finish line. A real personal achievement for all!
Most importantly, OXC saw numerous individuals with disabilities and their families participate in this one of a kind accessible obstacle course.
As David Mandel, CEO of OHEL and successful participant conveyed, “We were excited to once again have this groundbreaking event. Despite the chilly weather, everyone had a great time. We’re especially proud of the teams with the many OHEL individuals with disabilities who crossed the finish line, several joined by their families. They trained, they came, they conquered the course and they received their medals! OXC in many ways embodies the underlying mission of OHEL—“to overcome challenges in life and realize the potential in us all.”
Congratulations to our top fundraiser, Rachelle Rosenberg of RSPC who also sponsored the gloves, and to our top fundraising team #AvidStrong; to the first-place men’s winner, Yosef Gillers and the first-place women’s winner, Peri Santodanato.
The day began with a hearty, healthy breakfast, with a delicious BBQ lunch following the race. It was a fun day for all ages—whether as participants or spectators and family members who were there to cheer on their relatives. Ben Englander, an OHEL Board member whose company Rosco sponsored the event photos, commented, “The turnout was fantastic, and we are certain that with the incredible word of mouth that followed—that we will see double the number in year three! Check out the exciting photos online so you’ll want to be part of it next year.”
OHEL is grateful to its sponsors, which included ABC Communications; ABF Mud Run; Atlantic PC, Inc.; Barristers Title Agency, LLC; Billman Ross & Associates, Inc.; Clif Bar & Company; Dependable Abstract Inc.; Elite Care; Fresko; Jack Jaffa & Associates; Law Office of Michael E. Herskowitz Esq.; Modell’s; National Field Network; New York Community Bank; Poland Spring; ReliaTech; Rosco Vision Systems; Rosenberg & Steinmetz PC; Stein, Farkas & Schwartz LLP and others, as well as our many participants who helped raise money to make this event possible. OHEL additionally thanks Toby Schwartz Graphic Design for her creative design and branding work for OXC, as well as the many trainers who helped participants get in shape for this event. Participants left not only with a tremendous feeling of personal and communal accomplishment but with OXC’s many swag giveaways, T-shirts, gloves and more.
Ready to join us next year? Start training now—put it on your bucket list for you and your family! Be a part of the Third Annual OXC event next year—pre-register at www.oheloxc.org.
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 and follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/ohelfamily.
