5K in Medina supports family of boy with rare genetic disease

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Runners, walkers and families pushing strollers start off from Junior Wilson Club on the 3.1 mile trek in the Medina 5K Run/Walk.

MEDINA – A 5K run/walk Saturday morning at Junior Wilson Club brought out 50 participants to support the event, which will benefit a Medina family and the Mary Kay Ash Foundation.

Event coordinator Michelle Sidari of Farmington, daughter-in-law of Medina Mayor Mike Sidari, is a senior sales associate with Mary Kay and organizer of several runs/walks to benefit charity.

Brady and Dominique Meakin walked with son Koleson in the 5K run/walk held for their benefit this morning.

When she heard about Koleson Meakin, infant son of Brady and Dominique Meakin of Medina who was born with a rare genetic disease called TPK1 Leigh disease, she knew she wanted to help.

In addition to a basket raffle, Lynn Winters Woodruff sold candy bars, with proceeds going toward the benefit. Candy bars will continue to be sold at Genesee Feeds in Batavia, a business owned by Woodruff’s brother.

Saturday’s race started with a prayer of healing for Koleson, now 9 months old, by Pastor Virginia Thomas from the River at Orleans County, NY Church in Knowlesville.

Many families pushed their young children in strollers in support of the Meakin family.

“This is a family event,” Michelle said.

Koleson’s parents also pushed him in his stroller, while he slept. Dominique said this was Koleson’s second walk, as they participated with him in the ARC walk when he was two and one-half weeks old.

The first male runner to complete the race was Henry Rigerman of Medina, with a time of 21.47. The first woman was Rhonda Marciano of Medina, with a time of 23.44.

Proceeds of the event were not available, but Michelle guaranteed every penny will be donated to the Meakin family and Mary Kay Ash Foundation. The Mary Kay Ash Foundation helps fight domestic violence and cancers affecting women.

She thanked all of the business sponsors who made donations. These included Avanti’s Pizza, Bent’s Opera House, Case-Nic Cookies, Della’s Chocolates, Fitzgibbons Pub, Genesee Feeds, Hartway Chevrolet, Herbalty Cottage, Junior Wilson Sportsmen’s Club, Kustom Kreations, Mark’s Pizzeria, Mary Kay, 810 Meadworks, Ontario Shores Federal Credit Union, Rotork Controls, Rudy’s, Sourced Market and Eatery, Specialty Lawn Rx and Zambistro’s.

There is also a Cruisin’ for Koleson car show and basket raffle from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 28 at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville. There will be food vendors and live music.

Kathy Jurs of Medina with her 10-month old son Mason is the first walker to be registered for the Medina 5K run/walk for a Medina family.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari holds his grandson Micah, 2, while daughter-in-law Michelle Sidari, left, prepares to register participants in the Medina 5K run/walk Saturday morning at Junior Wilson Club.