“Pathfinder Village helps people find their
way in life to independence, success, and
maturity — all the things you want for your family.”
Marian Mullet | Founder of Pathfinder Village
10th annual Splash Path 5k a success
Edmeston, NY, May 25, 2023… For a decade, Pathfinder Village’s Splash Path 5k and Fun Walk has colorfully celebrated community and offered an inclusive athletic event for people of all ages and abilities. This past Saturday, the color run and festival achieved a new fundraising milestone, $30,000, in support of the Pathfinder Produce Mobile Market and vocational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.
“Saturday’s tenth annual event was a wonderful celebration of how the public, businesses, athletes and non-profits can collaborate to support meaningful programs and services that benefit our entire community,” said Event Chair Monica Clark. “Over the ten years of Splash Path, we’ve invested over $160,500 in community-focused inclusion projects and wellness initiatives. We’re grateful to our loyal sponsors and participants who have made Splash Path such a success.”
Splash Path 5k proceeds and health-focused grants have been the chief revenue sources for Pathfinder’s food distribution and fresh produce prescription programs to help address community health and food insecurity issues in our area. Pathfinder Produce, founded in 2013, and its Mobile Market, started in 2018, are vital microbusinesses operated through the Village’s Adult Day Services, which provide community-based training and vocational opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities throughout our area.
Over 450 runners and walkers registered for Saturday’s 5k. Special recognition was paid during the color burst ceremony for sponsors, participants, and volunteers who have contributed to the event’s success consistently since 2014. Recognized community sponsors included: 10 Years: The Landers Family, Ryno Graphics; 9 Years: Aqua Valley, NYCM Insurance, Gordon B. Roberts/One Group; 8 Years: The Bonadio Group, Chobani, Preferred Mutual Insurance, Prolifiq Sign Studio.
Recognized participants included: 10 Years: Nancy Knorr; 9 Years: Lucille Adsit, Angela Benson, John Knorr, Zoe Curtis; 8 Years: Brenda Crowder, Erin & McKenzie Stevens. Recognized volunteers included: 10 Years: The Edmeston Fire Department, Monica Clark, Caprice Eckert, Lori Grace, Paul Landers; 9 Years: Brandon Clark, Kathy Landers; 8 Years: Zoe Curtis ZUMBA Fitness.
Direct Support Professional Cheryl Winton of Pathfinder’s Adult Day Services was recognized for her outreach in working with area businesses from the communities of Edmeston, New Berlin, Sherburne, Cooperstown, Oneonta, Norwich, Hamilton, and Utica in support of the Splash Path ticket auction. Other sponsors, The Bonadio Group, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, JPMorgan, NBT Bank, NYCM Insurance, One Group, and Preferred Mutual Insurance also provided items for the participants’ goodie bags.
Complimentary Chobani products and special 10th anniversary cupcakes from Pathfinder Bakery were served at the 5k finish line to Splash Path visitors. A custom commemorative quilt made from all prior years’ Splash Path tee shirts, created by Kathy Landers of Cooperstown, was also displayed.
Title Sponsors this year included Brown & Brown of New York and Directive IT, Oneonta. Other key sponsors included NYCM Insurance and Bishop Printshop, Edmeston; The Bonadio Group, Syracuse; Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield, Utica; Principle Design & Engineering, PLLC, Norwich; Otsego County Government; Altonview Architects, Cooperstown; Access Therapy, Clifton Park; Reese-Marshall, Norwich; ABM Fire Equipment, Milford; J.P. Morgan, Greenwich, Conn.; Carlo Masi Sons & Daughter, Utica; Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy, Austin, Texas; and Williams Tire & Auto, Pittsfield. For a complete list of event sponsors visit Pathfinder’s website at https://pathfindervillage.org.
Along with the 5k event, the day featured six food trucks/vendors and 25 craft/business vendors. Festival attendees also enjoyed live music by Josh Breen, outdoor games, and the beautiful community grounds of Pathfinder.
Pathfinder Village is a livable community and service provider for those with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Pathfinder Produce’s Mobile Market works with area agencies and healthcare partners to transport fresh fruits and vegetables to area families living in food deserts; the Mobile Market also creates meaningful, community-based vocational opportunities for adults with disabilities.
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