Four Seasons residents get in the walking mood

DAVE BENJAMIN Residents of the Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes adult community in Jackson take to the streets of their development on Oct. 5 for a fundraising walk to fight breast cancer. JACKSON — Residents of the Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes adult community put on their walking shoes on Oct. 5 and raised funds to help fight breast cancer. The walk raised more than $3,900, according to organizers of the Susan G. Komen Walk at Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes.

Chairwoman Marie Santoro said more than 100 people participated in the event, which began with a breakfast. She praised all of the residents who worked to get the first-time walk at Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes under way.

"We have a great bunch of people who have been helping to organize our walk this year," Santoro said. "Donna Penziner worked particularly hard to get donations from community businesses and prepared decorations for the event."

Santoro said residents Judy Harris, Estelle Weiss, Steffie Isaacs, Sue Donsky, Hope Lewis, Ruth Pashkin, Leni Seltzer, Rosemary Bassolino and Michelle Feder put their heart and soul into making the event run like clockwork.

Lewis said, "I'm here for a very worthwhile cause. We are hoping to mobilize our entire community, and since this is our first year walking at Metedeconk Lakes, we hope that each year more and more of our residents will join in with us to help wipe out breast cancer."

Regina DiClerico provided technical assistance with sound, and Pat Semeca photographed the event.

Many businesses made donations to the event, including Wegmans in Manalapan, Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Tuscany, and Perkins in Freehold. There were tickets for the New Jersey Nets and tickets to the AMC Freehold Multiplex Theater.

Other contributors included Turning Point, Manalapan, and a digital photo frame and free large pizza at Doraldo's Italian Restaurant.

These items were raffled off through the auspices of the Senior Citizen Association of Metedeconk Lakes, which sponsored the breakfast, from Terrace Bagels, Freehold.

All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure.

After breakfast, the residents strolled over to Nottingham Way, the longest street in the community, to take part in the fundraising walk.

Steve Caplan said, "We're here to support the Komen Walk. We believe very strongly in it. It's a wonderful cause, and I hope we can wipe out breast cancer and other types of cancers within the next several years."

Debbie Caplan said, "It's so wonderful to be part of a very big picture that is happening around the world. Everybody has come together for a common cause, to find a cure for breast cancer and to support those who are survivors as well."