Knights-Kaderli 5K and basket raffle raises $30K-plus for local cancer patients

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Melissa Knights Bertrand, her brother Aaron Knights and his daughter Emmeline, 12, share a hug after he officiated at the start of the Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run. (Right) Jeff Green, left, and his family wait for the start of the Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run on Saturday. He pushes Zeke Bennett, 2, son of his daughter Paige Bennett. Next to him is his daughter, Sawyer Green pushing Norah Bennett, 2, and her son Glenn, 2. Sawyer’s son Hollis, 8, is next, and Sawyer’s husband Josh Green is pushing son Finch, 4. The Greens are avid supporters of the Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run.

EAST SHELBY – The 36th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run was a resounding success Saturday at the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.

According to Mary Kaderli Zelazny, the event raised more than $30,000 for cancer patients and their families in Orleans County.

Stacey Knights Pellegrino, daughter of the late Richard Knights, said so many organizations and individuals support the fund during the years, including her dad Richard Knights’ Class of 1964. Many benefits are held annually and the profits donated to the Knights-Kaderli Fund, such as the David Millis golf tournament, Liz Monell golf tournament, Kathy Vicnair’s former Pink Crystal Ball, the family of Bruce Williams, the Zinkievich family and Angela Waldriff when she had Ashlee’s Place.

This year’s event drew 150 walkers and runners, in addition to many more who came just to take part in the basket raffle, said Stacey Knights Pellegrino. Many push strollers and participate with family members, such as the McAdoos.

Walkers and runners wait in the parking lot of East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall for the Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run to begin Saturday morning. About 150 participated in the event, which raised a whopping $30,000.

Kristin McAdoo came with her son and said they have supported the event for more than 20 years.

“They helped us when my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “I sell 31 bags (insulated lunch bags) and my customers donate them to the McAdoo family.  Then I give them to Knights-Kaderli, and Mary gives them to cancer patients.”

Another of McAdoo’s customers donates Comfort Care Bags, which she also gives to cancer patients.

Tish McAdoo said she had walked other years, but couldn’t this year because of a bad knee. However, she still came to buy basket raffle tickets and support the event.

“I came with my best friend Pat Vader, whose husband and father were both helped by the Knights-Kaderli Fund.

Tish McAdoo buys basket raffle tickets from Mary Zelazny at the 36th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run Saturday at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. Other ticket sellers are Zelazny’s nephew Jay Hanna and her sister-in-law, Laura Kaderli.

Leslie and Mike Green, who grew up in Medina, married and moved to Plattsburgh, used to come home to participate in the walk/run. In February, they moved back home and came to walk on Saturday.

“The fund did a lot of both our moms,” Leslie said. “We walk in honor of them.”

The race began with a welcome from Aaron Knights, son of the late Richard Knights, for whom the race is named. He asked for a moment of silence those lost and those who are battling cancer now.