Hundreds Rally to Support Special Olympics Athletes at the 5th Annual Sallarulo’s Race for Champions

800 local Special Olympics athletes benefit from funds raised at race held on Nova Southeastern University’s campus

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – More than 1,000 runners and walkers recently rallied at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to support local Special Olympics athletes by participating in the fifth annual Sallarulo’s Race for Champions 5K Run/Walk.

The May 2 race raised more than $675,000 to benefit Special Olympics Broward County (SOBC), which provides FREE athletic programs to enrich the lives and improve the confidence of more than 800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through sports training and competition, Special Olympics athletes develop physically, socially, and psychologically.

Local Special Olympics athletes were on hand at the race to participate, cheer on runners, and present medals. The 2010 race was also held in memory of Agata “Ida” Sallarulo, George “Bob” W. Gill, Jr. and Melvin Zarefsky.

It was fitting that the race took place at NSU, as the university is now the permanent home of SOBC – the only chapter of Special Olympics in the nation that is housed on a college campus.

Sallarulo’s Race for Champions 5K Run/Walk was created by Paul Sallarulo, a member of the NSU Board of Trustees, to raise money for Special Olympics Broward County. In the past five years, the event has raised more than $2.275 million to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics.

“It is such an honor to help raise money for Special Olympics Broward County,” said Sallarulo, who is also chair of the SOBC board. “We had another great year and will keep building on the annual success of the race in the hope that it will become one of the largest in the country.”

 2010 RACE SPONSORS

SUPERHERO SPONSOR
Don Taft - The Taft Foundation

INSPIRATIONAL SPONSOR
In Memory of Katherine & Pat Sallarulo

HERO SPONSORS
In Memory Of Agata “Ida” Sallarulo
In Memory Of George “Bob” W. Gill, Jr.
In Memory Of Melvin Zarefsky

CHAMPION SPONSORS
Broward Health
Pinion, Inc

TITANIUM SPONSORS
In Memory of Katie Crowley
Memorial Healthcare System
Michelle Pesonen
Nova Southeastern University
Paul, Patrick & Samantha Sallarulo
The Gill Foundation, Inc.

PLATINUM SPONSORS
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Lorraine Thomas

GOLD SPONSORS
ANESCO North Broward, LLC
Berger Singerman
Cazio LLC
Dennis Mackman - North Broward Radiologists, P.A.
FreshPoint-South Florida
In Memory of Dean Kield Hackley
In Memory of Elizabeth “Polly” Mayo
In Memory Of Eunice Kennedy Shriver
In Memory of Joe Rojchin
Johanne Maroux
Mr. & Mrs. Jon Krupnick
Nexera Medical
Samantha Sallarulo
Tracy & Ari Roloff

SILVER SPONSORS
AJ Nassar
Albert Miniaci - Paramont Vending, Inc.
Amaturo Family Foundation, Inc.
American Institute of Massage Therapy
Betty Williams - South Florida Social
In Memory of Belle Allen
In Memory of Betty & Jack Larue
In Memory of Frances Lundmark
In Memory of Janith Schloss
In Memory of Jon Rogers
In Memory of Justin and Matthew Boddy
In Memory of Logan O’Neill
In Memory of Maria Bidjikis
In Memory of Maria Talley
In Memory of Marie & Pat Palumbo
In Memory of Patricia Blanken
In Memory of Paul Eagon
In Memory of Paul Resnick
In Memory of Stephen McKinley
J.P. Taravella High School
Joe Pineda - NSU, Huizenga School of Business
Marone – An AutoNation Co.
Miami Dolphins Foundation
Paul H. & Ann Marie Lundmark
Pine Crest School
Richard J. Zaden  - Seiler, Zaden & Rimes, LLC
Stacy Ostrau – Society Scene, Sun Sentinel
Thomas Panza - Panza, Maurer & Maynard, PA
Victory Living Program
William C. Spencer

BRONZE SPONSORS
Ahearn Jasco & Company
Brandon Drucker
Broward Barracuda Triathlon Club
Broward Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists
Children’s Diagnostic Treatment Center
Comerica Charitable Foundation
Connie Francis
David Richstone
Debra Ducas
Divinity Group Home
Excelsior Capital Advisors, LC
GSD Contracting
J.D. Backhoe, Inc.
Janet S. Miller
Jason & Tom Welch - R.I.C. Executive Search
Joel L. Rush, DO, PA
Joseph F. Scott & Gail K. Scott - Liberty Health
Judith Levine
JWR Construction Services, Inc.
Kaye Stevens
Kerri Leonardo
LV Walters Group Home
Lynda Damerau
Mary & Brent Wood
Mattel, Inc.
Matthew Scott
Mikela & Alexa Warman
Mind, Body & Spirit Chiropratic
Non-Stop Entertainment
Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.
Russel P. Nash – William R. Nash, Inc.
Serge & Ida Campagnola
Susan D. McGregor
The Irvine Family
The KC Gang – Kleinert Family
Toyota of Deerfield Beach
Valarie Cavalier