2022 Laurel Run Poster by Lexi Holmes of Jamestown High School

High School students are being invited to participate in a logo contest for the annual Laurel Memorial Run and Walk.

The logo contest is open to high school students in Chautauqua County. The student who designs the winning entry will receive a $100 gift card to a business of their choosing.

Design entries should not be too intricate, since the design needs to reproduce well on a T-shirt. Artists also are encouraged to submit original designs, rather than using artwork they find on the Internet or through other sources.

Laurel Run was started in 1997 by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek. The annual event is named in honor of their oldest daughter, Laurel, who had Down syndrome. The Run/Walk seeks to raise awareness and appreciation about the achievements of people with Down syndrome and other types of disabilities.

It raises money for Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County.

Designs must be received by Monday, April 17. Internal voting at The Resource Center and Filling the Gap will identify the finalists. The public then will have the opportunity to vote online to help determine the winning design.

Designs can be submitted to:

Laurel Run Logo Contest
c/o Filling the Gap
92 Fairmount Avenue
Jamestown, NY, 14701.

They also may be submitted electronically to kayla.bohall@fillingthegap.net. All entries become the property of Filling the Gap.

The 27th annual Laurel Memorial Run/Walk is set for July 14 and 15. The traditional Jamestown-to-Dunkirk relay run will take place Friday, July 14. The following morning in Silver Creek, there will be an 8-kilometer running race, a 5k walk, a 1k fun walk, children’s runs, and “Laurel’s Memorial Lap” (a free event that is open to anyone who has a disability).

For more information about the logo contest or the Laurel Memorial Run/Walk, call 716-661-4735.

All of the money raised in Chautauqua County will go to “Filling the Gap,” which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

The Laurel Memorial Run/Walk was created by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek in honor of their oldest daughter, who had Down syndrome. The event seeks to raise public awareness about individuals with disabilities while providing an opportunity for people with disabling conditions, and those without, to come together at a fun, family-friendly event.

This year’s Laurel Memorial Run/Walk takes place July 16th and 17th. The first day consists of a relay run and a 30-mile endurance run from Jamestown to Dunkirk. The following day in Silver Creek there will be an 8-kilometer run, a 5k fitness walk, a 1k fun walk, children’s runs, and “Laurel’s Legacy Lap,” in which people with disabilities take a lap around the track at the village ball field.

For more information about the Laurel Memorial Run/Walk, call (716) 661-4735 or visit www.laurel-run.com.

Pictured from left are Katie Rodriguez, manager of the Kwik Fill/Red Apple location on Route 60 outside of Jamestown; Melissa Fardink, manager of the Kwik Fill/Red Apple on Foote Avenue in Jamestown; Frank Bartella, regional manager for United Refining; Kim Webb, manager of the Kwik Fill/Red Apple on Forest Avenue in Jamestown; Brian Samuelson, a member of the Laurel Memorial Run & Walk planning committee; and event founders Elaine and Wayne Hotelling.

JAMESTOWN – Area residents can show their support for people with disabilities by buying a special card at Kwik Fill.

From now through July 20, United Refining Company’s Kwik Fill and Red Apple Food Mart locations will be selling paper cards to raise money for the 22nd annual Laurel Memorial Run & Walk.

This is the 16th straight year that Laurel Run organizers have partnered with United Refining.  The cards will be sold at participating locations in Chautauqua and Erie counties in New York, and in Warren County, PA.  Customers who buy a card can write their name on it and have it displayed in the store.  The suggested donation is $1, but donations of any amount are appreciated.  Donations containers also will be set up in some locations, and people can put money in the containers if they’d prefer not to write their name on a card.

All of the money raised in Chautauqua County will go to Filling the Gap, which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families.  Money raised in Erie and Warren counties will be split with organizations that support people with disabilities in each of those counties.  In Erie County, proceeds from the sneaker sales will be split with The Arc of Erie County; in Warren County, money will be split with Bollinger Enterprises.

The Laurel Memorial Run & Walk Run was created by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek, NY, in honor of their oldest daughter, who had Down Syndrome.  The event seeks to raise public awareness about individuals with disabilities while providing an opportunity for people with disabling conditions, and those without, to come together at a fun, family-friendly event.

Proceeds from the Laurel Memorial Run & Walk are used to be used to enhance employment\ and work training opportunities for people with disabilities.  Wayne Hotelling noted that support from the business community is essential to the success of the Laurel Memorial Run & Walk.

“Without sponsors like Red Apple and Kwik Fill, this would not be a reality,” he said.

“Even though Laurel isn’t with us this year, she’ll be in our hearts for the rest of our lives,” said Frank Bartella, regional manager at United Refining.  “We’ll carry on her legacy and continue supporting all people with disabilities.”

This year’s Laurel Memorial Run & Walk takes place July 20 and 21.  The first day consists of a relay run and a 30-mile endurance run from Jamestown to Dunkirk.  The following day in Silver Creek there will be an 8-kilometer run, a 5k fitness walk, a 1k fun walk, children’s runs, and “Laurel’s Legacy Lap,” in which people with disabilities take a lap around the track at the village ball field.  There also will be a party featuring free food, music and activities for adults and children.

For more information about Laurel Run, phone (716) 661-4735 or visit www.laurel-run.org.

The event was created by Silver Creek residents Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in honor of their oldest daughter, who has Down syndrome. Laurel Run is an opportunity for the community to come together to demonstrate its support for people with disabilities.

Laurel Run begins Friday, July 15, with the traditional flag relay.  Following a free kickoff breakfast at The Resource Center’s facility at 75 Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown, teams of runners will take turns transporting Laurel Run flags to Dunkirk.

Most of the relay teams are composed students, teachers and coaches from area school districts.  The relay, which will begin at about 8:30 a.m., will wrap up at around 1 p.m. when the last set of runners – led again this year by employees of the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility – arrives at Washington Park, where the city will host a victory celebration.

For the fourth straight year, a few hardy souls will be taking on the Laurel-thon by running the entire 30-mile relay route themselves.  Several other people are planning to ride bicycles from Jamestown to Dunkirk that day in support of Laurel Run.  Anyone interested in running part of the relay run, tackling the Laurel-thon or pedaling along to Dunkirk on the bike ride may phone 661-4735 for information.

8K RUN, 5K FITNESS WALK, 1K FUN WALK ON JULY 16

Employees from the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility and area school students follow a police escort to the finish of the 2016 flag relay.

The following day, the action shifts to Silver Creek.  A 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) fitness walk and a 1-kilometer fun walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.  At 9:00, an 8K run takes place.

The 8K run offers cash prizes ($100, $75, $50) to the first three male and female finishers.  Medals will be given to the first three male and female finishers in each age group in the 5K walk and the 8K run.  And everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a commemorative medal made by people with disabilities.

Fun runs for children age 7 and younger will take place at about 10:20, followed by the signature event – Laurel’s Lap, in which people with disabilities take a lap around the track at the ball field in downtown Silver Creek.

All morning long there will be a party in the village square featuring music, food and adult and children’s activities.

This year’s Laurel Run carries on a long tradition.  The first Laurel Run took place in the summer of 1997 when Wayne Hotelling jogged and bicycled more than 400 miles across New York State to raise public awareness about the potential that exists within people who have developmental disabilities.  His journey was so well received that he decided to make Laurel Run an annual event.

“Here we are, 20 years later, and the successes we have seen would not have been possible without the loyal support of all of you over the years,” Wayne said.  “Laurel and her friends have grown through their participation in the planning and operation of Laurel Run.  Thank you for helping us make this possible for them.”

The registration fee for the 8K run, the 5K walk and the 1K walk is $20 until July 5 and $25 after that day.  The children’s runs cost $3 per child or $5 for a family with two or more children.  All paid participants will receive a 2016 Laurel Run T-shirt and a goody bag.  Laurel Run organizers encourage people to raise money from family, friends and co-workers in support of their participation in Laurel Run.  People who raise $50 will receive free entry into the Laurel Run event of their choice, and they can earn gift cards by raising more money.

For those who are unable to participate in the actual Laurel Run events, organizers have created a Virtual Laurel Run in which people can tackle one of the Laurel Run distances at their own convenience, wherever they want.  Participation in the Virtual Laurel Run is free, but those who agree to raise at least $50 can receive a shirt and a finisher’s medal.  Visit www.crowdrise.com/trcfoundationinc for information.

Major sponsors of this year’s Laurel Run include Brown & Brown of New York, Independent Health Self-Funded Services, Kwik Fill/Red Apple Food Mart, the Observer, Premier Consulting Associates, Saxton Kocur and Associates, Support Enterprises, Inc., and the Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation.

Money raised through Laurel Run goes to Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center and TRC Foundation to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County.

For more information or to register, visit www.laurel-run.com or phone the Hotellings (934-3952) or The Resource Center (483-2344).

Area residents can also show their support for people with disabilities by buying a paper sneaker at Kwik Fill. From July 1 through July 17, United Refining Company’s Kwik Fill and Red Apple Food Mart locations will be selling paper sneakers to raise money for the 20th annual Laurel Run.

Laurel Run was started in 1997 by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek. The annual event is named in honor of their daughter who has Down syndrome. Laurel Run seeks to raise awareness and appreciation about the achievements of persons with disabilities. Money raised through Laurel Run goes to Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities and their families.

High schoolers who want to take part in the contest need to submit their Designs must by Monday, April 27.

Designs should be submitted to: Laurel Run Logo Contest, c/o Filling the Gap, 92 Fairmount Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701.  Designs also may be submitted electronically to kayla.bohall@fillingthegap.net.  All entries become the property of Filling the Gap.

The 19th annual Laurel Run will take place July 17-18.

For more information about the logo contest, call 661-4735. For information about Laurel Run, visit www.laurel-run.com.

Laurel Hotelling

JAMESTOWN – Area residents are once again invited to help select the logo for this year’s Laurel Run.

Laurel Run organizers have partnered with the Dunkirk Observer to enable the online community to help choose the Laurel Run logo. Each year, area high school students are invited to submit designs for the logo.

This year’s submissions were on display at last month’s The Resource Center Expo events in Dunkirk and Jamestown. The results of voting at those two events determined 10 finalists, which have now been posted on the Observer’s web site, and people are encouraged to vote for their favorite. Online voting will be live until 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 13.

To see the designs and to cast your vote, visit extras.observertoday.com/LaurelRun/Laurel.asp.

The winning design will appear on this year’s Laurel Run T-shirts and other promotional materials. The winning artist will receive a $100 gift card.

Laurel Run seeks to raise awareness about people with disabilities. It was started in 1997 by Wayne and Elaine Hotelling of Silver Creek and is named in honor of their oldest daughter, Laurel, who has Down syndrome. Money raised through Laurel Run goes to Filling the Gap, Inc., to fund disability awareness and prevention activities; proceeds also are used to enhance employment and work training opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Laurel Run is a two-day event. The annual Jamestown-to-Dunkirk relay run will take place Friday, July 18. The following morning, an 8-kilometer race and a 5k walk takes place in Silver Creek.

For more information about Laurel Run, visit www.laurel-run.com or phone 661-4735.

The 17^th annual Laurel Run celebrates the achievements of people with disabilities while at the same time driving home the message that people with disabilities can accomplish great things if given the opportunity.

Laurel Run was started in 1997 when Silver Creek resident Wayne Hotelling jogged and cycled more than 400 miles across New York State in honor of his oldest daughter, who has Down syndrome.  In 1999, relay runners set out from eight different parts of the state, and some six weeks later the eight relay legs came together in Albany for a grand finale. Laurel Run had passed through every county in the state, and more than 20,000 people participated.

Laurel Run is now an annual event that takes place in Chautauqua County, but it has retained the essence of that 1999 state-wide relay.  Each year, relay runners transport a Laurel Run flag from Jamestown to Dunkirk to officially kick off Laurel Run weekend.

The 2013 Laurel Run relay is being sponsored by Premier Consulting Associates. Proceeds from Laurel Run go to Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

For more information or to register for Laurel Run, call 661-4735 or visit www.laurel-run.com.