Over 350 runners and walkers took to the streets of downtown Akron on Saturday, July 14, 2018 for the Eight Annual Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation 5K and 1 Mile Walk. Over $30,000 was raised for the Foundation’s charitable purposes. The race was part of the Italian Festival and was presented by the Italian American Professional &. Businessmen’s Club. The race ended in Lock 3 Park.
The overall men’s winner of the event with a time of 17:01 was Tony Dipre of Chagrin Falls who was also a classmate of Andrea’s at Walsh Jesuit High School. Kaylie Kenne of Wadsworth won the women’s division for the third straight year with a time of 19:06. The overall winners received a plaque specially designed by Zeber-Martell Studio of Akron. Elizabeth Tucci, Andrea’s aunt, won the Female Masters with a time of 21:22 and David Stewart won the Male Masters with a time of 18:12.
Carol Peter, Andrea’s aunt and the race director commented, “This event just gets better and better every year. It is so wonderful to see not only friends and family out to support the run, but also so many others in the community that come out each year- some new to the run and some who have participated every year.” It really brings to light what a caring community we live in.”
Post-race, participants enjoyed music provided by 91.3, The Summit. Refreshments were donated by Rita’s Italian Ice, Hartville Potato Chips and Mustard Seed Market. Committee member Katie Greenwald made sure that the race course was perfect. Getti Kutuchief organized the scores of volunteers. Amy DeLeo manned the Foundation booth to provide information to participants about the race and the Foundation. Jack DeLeo kept things organized in Lock 3 Park. Andrea’s parents Judges Thomas and Linda Tucci Teodosio, brother and Foundation President Christopher Teodosio and Joe Licitri, President of the Italian American Professional and Businessmen’s Club handed out the awards.
The Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation was founded in 2011 with the untimely passing of Andrea as a result of a skiing accident. The Andrea Rose Teodosio Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that diligently works to demonstrate the values Andrea held close to her heart. These include compassionately assisting the underprivileged and elderly, actively addressing environmental issues and promoting community service and education. As a result of its fundraising efforts through the annual 5K held in July near the time of Andrea’s birthday and Angel Art Auction held in February near the anniversary of Andrea’s death, the Foundation has been able to ward meaningful grants to such organizations as the Akron Children’s Museum, The Battered Women’s Shelter, Stewart’s Caring Place and the Special Olympics of Summit County. The Foundation also provides prom and homecoming dresses to high school girls who could not otherwise be able to attend their high school dances. Project Warm, a Foundation initiative, works in cooperation with other Summit County organizations to provide hats, gloves and socks for the homeless of Summit County.
For more information on the Andrea Rose Teodosio Foundation, please visit www.andrearose.org.
