FRNCA organizes 5K to fund student scholarship

The Flanders Riverside and Northampton Community Association will be holding its first annual 5K run/walk next month to raise money for a scholarship for local students.

The event will take place on Sunday, March 22 at Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club in Northampton, where the race will both start and finish. It’s open to all runners, joggers and walkers of all ages, according to FRNCA member Barbara Swislosky, who is organizing the race with FRNCA treasurer Patty Hopkins.

The entrance fee is $20 if for those who pre-register and $30 on the day of the race. Check-in will be between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. and entrance forms are available at www.frnca.org.

There will be awards for top male and female in several different age categories.

FRNCA has awarded scholarships in the past, but funding is getting tight.

“Since we don’t have any money for scholarships, Patty and I decided to do something,” Ms. Swislosky said. The money raised from the run will go into the scholarship fund and not the FRNCA general fund, she said.

FRNCA is actively seeking sponsors and volunteers for the event, she said.

“So far, our big sponsors are the Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club and Renaissance Downtowns,” Ms. Hopkins said.

Funds raised by this event will be used to provide competitive scholarship awards to college-bound graduating seniors from our local high schools and possibly for adults who are returning to school for a college or higher level degree, according to FRNCA. Applicants must resident in either Flanders, Riverside or Northampton to qualify.

A number of local businesses also are donating prizes for the event, including Walmart, Shamrock gas station, Maximus Health and Fitness, Tanger Outlet Center, Peconic Bay Diner and the Port Jefferson Ferry, Ms. Swislosky said, adding that they are seeking others.

The event will go on rain or shine, officials said.