Run to Remember
Run to Remember
Communities honor strength and resiliency of two special women through 5K events
Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts 5k • June 19th
Running builds character … at least that is what my 3rd grade gym teacher told me. I hated her for it. Every lap we had to do I became more bitter and tired. It wasn’t until many years later that I understood what she meant by character.
Elisa Hughey understood this. She understood so much more than most of us ever hope to learn in our years on this planet. Taken entirely too soon, succumbing to her battle with cancer, Elisa’s fingerprints are everywhere if you look closely.
This modest woman was easy to be around and touched the heart of every person she met. She is remembered for her sense of humor, her generous heart, her love of life and her unparalleled strength. She was a devoted mother, wife and contributor to the arts. Her works were featured in the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Luminous Gallery, and Chautauqua Center for the Visual Arts, as well as other respected galleries. (http://elisahugheyscholarship.com/about-elisa/) Her love of interior design and aesthetics lives on through her husband and children that keep her beloved store, Aardvark, running (pun intended).
Elisa, while battling cancer, learned to love this sport. To me, it makes complete sense that she would gravitate towards running; the mental fortitude it takes only strengthened the “mind over matter” attitude Elisa embraced. It is what helped her push so far, for so long. Elisa decided to run her very first marathon while battling cancer. She finished that race in 3 hours and 20 minutes and qualified for the Boston Marathon – a race which she also ran and finished, hand-in-hand with dear friends.
Every year there is a 5K in Elisa’s memory and funds are raised to support her scholarship. The Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts provides two scholarships of $1,000 each, one each for Ellicottville and West Valley Central high schools, for college-bound students committed to advancing their skills in any aspect of the fine arts.
Although typically held as an in-person event, last year’s run was virtual, and the same format will apply for this year as well. On Saturday, June 19th, Elisa’s Virtual Run for the Arts will kick off at 10:00am. You can join those participating on Facebook at the Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts. Registration is free to all, but if you are able to, please donate via the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation website at www.cattfoundation.org
Cynthia Mohr: Let’s Run to Remember • June 6th
Despite restrictions being lifted on the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much damage still left in its quake. Cynthia Mohr was a loving mother and wife who was taken much too soon from this insidious virus.
Cynthia radiated positivity wherever she went and always made everyone feel welcome and included. She was nurturing, compassionate and she cared with all her heart. Cynthia was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Heron Clan. Constantly yearning to lift people up, she was a dedicated teacher in the Salamanca School District for 36 years. Cynthia was the first Native American teacher in New York state to have a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education.
A 5K walk/run in her honor will kick off a Scholarship Fund in her name that will benefit the Class of 2023. The race will be held Sunday, June 6th at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Salamanca. For all of the details visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/3e9wcyx2.
This run is to embody all Cynthia stood for - love, light, inclusion and community. It will surely be an event to remember, so brush off your sneakers, sign up and let’s get moving in honor of these beautiful souls.