May 7, 2006 – Thousands March on Long Island's Jones Beach

For walkers, charity is the reason afoot
Newsday May 6, 2006
By Rhoda Amon

Tom O'Clair is traveling from Schenectady to Long Island to walk 5 kilometers along the Jones Beach boardwalk Sunday - steps in memory of his late son, Timothy.

Five years ago, Timothy, 12, hanged himself in his bedroom closet.

O'Clair, who is convinced his son would be alive today if there was consistent, affordable help for the mentally ill, is joining the annual walk of the Queens Nassau National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The walk is one of thousands nationwide, with participants signing up sponsors to raise funds and awareness for causes in which they passionately believe. Such walks have grown into huge events raising millions.

For the National Alliance, the money is not the only aim, though members were elated over the $133,000 their walk raised last year, said chairwoman Janet Susin of Manhasset. The event also increases awareness.

"We're trying to take mental illness out of the shadows," she said. "It's still perceived as shameful, not a real illness."

To O'Clair, it's an opportunity to press his campaign for "Timothy's Law,"

state legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from limiting coverage for treatment of mental illness and substance abuse. In Timothy's case, his family contends that insurance company limits prevented the boy, who was diagnosed with depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, from receiving the continuing treatment he needed.

Despite their serious purpose, walks try to be fun, with food and entertainment. There's usually low overhead - no halls to rent or dinners to purchase.

The walks are "a celebration of life and survivorship," said Amy DiLeo, a spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society's Relays For Life, the nation's largest fundraisers, with 4,700 events scheduled this year, including 48 on Long Island and in New York City.

The relays are overnight events with teams of friends or co-workers taking turns walking or running laps. More than 3 million people, including 500,000 cancer survivors, hope to raise $300 million.

Habitat for Humanity's Suffolk chapter walk through Blydenburgh Park May

13 is "something the whole family can enjoy," said volunteer services director Kathy Schaefer. Homeowners who have benefited from Habitat's program of building affordable homes are among the 400 to 500 walkers, along with church groups and students who hope to raise $75,000, enough to build a house.

Among Long Island's largest, MS Walks for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society expect 6,000 on May 13 at two locations - Jones Beach and Belmont Lake State Park. The Belmont walk is followed by a "pooch parade," in which people trek around the lake with their dogs and raise money. Last year's walks raised $850,000. This year's goal is $1 million.

Walkers, some with guide dogs, will join in "Helen's Walk" through the Sands Point Preserve June 11. The Brooklyn-based Helen Keller National Center raises funds to provide the deaf-blind with technology to improve their daily lives.