Successful fundraiser in memory of local athlete

PINE PLAINS — More than 90 participants took part in the second annual Erin Shanley Memorial 5k Run on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Pine Plains Lions Pavilion.

Erin Shanley was a 16-year-old, four-sport athlete with great grades at Stissing Mountain High School when she was tragically killed in a car accident in January 2004.

The walkers and runners (and four-legged companions) chose between a 1-mile and a 5-kilometer (3.11-mile) route along Stissing Lake.

The 1-mile race was won by Jeanine Sisco of Pine Plains with a time of 11:34. She said she participated in the event because she and her daughter are very good friends with the Shanley family.

Twenty-year-old Casey Austin of Pine Plains won the 5K race with a time of 17:33. Austin said that he did not know Erin personally because he was several years behind her in school, but he has been participating in fundraisers in her memory since high school.

All proceeds raised during the event through entrance fees and T-shirt sales will be donated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Besides the 5K run, other fundraisers have also been carried out during the last seven years in Erin’s honor. In total, roughly $108,000 has been raised in Erin’s memory for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Erin’s mother, Valerie Shanley, remembers how her daughter began donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because she loved to hear her name announced during the organization’s telethon.

Shanley says she helps raise money for the hospital in her daughter’s name, “so [Erin] can hear her name a whole bunch of times.”

Shanley also hopes the fundraisers will keep her daughter in the community’s thoughts and give people a chance to honor her.

“As a mom, I’m always afraid she’ll be forgotten, so this is my way of keeping her memory alive,” said Shanley.

On Saturday morning, it was clear that the devoted mother got her wish.

Both before and after the race, one could catch snippets of friends and community members discussing their favorite memories of Erin.

Several of the race’s participants wore clothing that honored Erin, including special sports headbands and school sports team shirts emblazoned with an “E” on the sleeve.

“‘E’ pretty much stands for ‘everything positive,’” said Ariana Wright, who practiced basketball and field hockey with Erin and considered her a mentor. She said  that the same E is hanging in the girls’ locker room at the high school.

The fundraiser was spearheaded by Tim Reynolds. Reynolds, who has known the Shanley family since his childhood, began helping with the fundraisers after seeing the huge impact that Erin had of the community.

“It’s hard to give up. It becomes a part of you,” he said.

After spending so many years raising money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and visiting the hospital a few times, Reynold became dedicated to St. Jude’s cause. He has even started fundraising efforts for the organization on his college campus.

“If it wasn’t for Erin, I probably wouldn’t be doing the work I do today,” he said.

Both Reynolds and Shanley were very thankful for all of the support they have received from the community.

“It’s because of them that we have this success,” said Reynolds. “We can’t thank everybody enough. It’s events like this that showcase the kind of support we have.”

“It’s very humbling,” added an appreciative Shanley.

Click here for additional photo.

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