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JAMESTOWN — For 24 years, runners and others have gathered to jog or walk to raise awareness about people with developmental disabilities. The annual Laurel Run continued Friday in a different form than usual, but went on nonetheless.
Steve Waterson, community relations director for The Resource Center, said the run raises much needed awareness about opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
“People with disabilities still don’t have the same opportunities that everyone else has,” he explained. “They can accomplish some amazing things if they’re given the opportunity.”
The Laurel Run began when Wayne Hotelling jogged and bicycled 400 miles across New York to raise awareness.
Hoteling was inspired by his daughter, Laurel, who was born with Down’s Syndrome in 1963. At the time, doctors advised the Hotellings to institutionalize their daughter, but they chose not to.
Friday’s relay is from the Resource Center facility on Jones and Gifford Avenue, along Route 60 into Leona and Fredonia, ending in Dunkirk.
“We will triumphantly be jogging up Central Avenue in Dunkirk this afternoon to finish off the relay,” Waterson said. Participants will walk or jog one to three miles, he said.
Officials made this year’s event virtual, which will offer people the opportunity to run, jog or bicycle on their own in support of Laurel Run. For more information contact Laurel-run.com.
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