Miles of Smiles

Editor's note: Additional photos of volunteers and participants at Miles for Matheny will be featured on Monday in our "View Finder" photo story.

Each year, Miles for Matheny is a little different — this April, the community picnic was moved to Natirar Park along with the rest of the event — but many of the runners, cyclists, volunteers and others from the Somerset Hills and beyond apparently enjoy coming back time and again.

On Sunday, despite wind and mud, an estimated 1,600 or more people participated in one way or another at the annual fundraiser for the Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack-Gladstone, said Patty Cats, of the facility's development office.

The crowd included many dozens of Basking Ridge residents who were volunteers, runners, cyclists or able-bodied participants accompanying patients in the "wheelchair walk" around the perimeter of the park in Peapack-Gladstone. Fundraising teams and volunteers also were on hand from Bernardsville, Bedminster, Peapack-Gladstone and Morristown, as well as communities from other New Jersey counties.

Marissa Buccafusco and twins Sarah and Kathryn Bush, all seniors at Ridge High School, said they are regular volunteers at the facility for residential and non-residential patients with developmental disabilities.

"It's a really good cause and it's the least we can do to help out," said Buccafusco. The three Ridge students were back for another year to hand out tee shirts to registrants with further assistance from Collin Sherman of Bernardsville, a senior at Bernards Hill School in Bernardsville.

Matheny patients also participate in the day's highlight — the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk — started in 1998 by Huggins, a late Basking Ridge woman who wanted the patients to have a day out and become a part of their local community.

Sherri Loughney of Long Valley, a Matheny employee, said she brings her husband and children each year to accompany a patient in the wheelchair walk. She said Zach, who the family was pushing along a paved path, teases her and others beforehand, "Don't forget old ladies, you're going to walk."

"I look forward to this every year," said Zach.

Not all of the patients are able to speak. But most seemed to enjoy being outdoors in the verdant park, and receiving the attention of so many others.

Robert Simon of Basking Ridge and his son, Blake, 9, were lined up to push Lindsay, whom seemed to be happy to be part of the group, he said.

Robert Blake said part of the reason he had come was so his son could learn firsthand about the spirit of volunteerism.

Waiting for the walk to begin, Blake was bundled up in a sweatshirt, hat and sunglasses.

The Simons lined up next to two Basking Ridge sisters, Brittany and Erin Kelleher. Brittany Kelleher said she had never been at the event before, but came along with her sister, an employee at Matheny.

However, Basking Ridge resident Edana Desatnick, whose son Bryan, 19, is a resident at Matheny, said she and her family have been participants on a regular basis.

Along with "Team Desatnick," who would accompany Brian, she said her husband, Lloyd,rode in a cycling event. Her two daughters, Lauren, a sophomore at Ridge High School, and  Sarah, a sixth grader at William Annin Middle School, were helping out as well she said.

Edana Desatnick said there was a large group of township residents who were part of the day. She said many Ridge athletes had signed up for running or cycling events, and students from Mount Prospect Elementary School were part of the kids' fun run. Congregation B'Nai Israel in the township also formed a fundraising team, she said.

A group of friends from Ridge High School, including seniors Sami Weber and Allie Madlinger and junior Sara Schneider had joined in to walk with "Team Desatnick."

Edana Desatnick said Miles for Matheny is a "magical day," most of all for her son Bryan. She said he enjoyed being the center of attention of the young people surrounding him. "They have him laughting and dancing."

Among the student athletes who joined in a 5K run were lacross players from Ridge High School and Bernards High School, and the varsity football team from Bernards High School.

The Bonnie Brae Knights Drum Corps from Bonnie Brae School in Bernards Township performed to launch some of the events.

Many adult volunteers were part of the event, too.

As in the past, Peapack-Gladstone Mayor William Horton and his wife, Linda, were helping out, with Linda Horton manning a table laden with bagels, drinks and other breakfast-type treats.

Immediately after the wheelchair walk, those who remained moved on to a community picnic with many donated foods.

The Rotary Club of Bernardsville, including many members from Bernards Township, grilled and served more than 1,500 burgers, hot dogs or vegi-burgers, said Bernards Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer.

"Considering all of the problems with the weather, I think things came off very well," said Sandy Josephson, in charge of public relations at Matheny. Some of the onsite parking was closed because it was underwater, and other tents and tables were shifted to avoid mud and puddles, the organizers said.

The fundraiser attracts a large crowd each year, Josephson said.

Miles for Matheny has grown from a small wheelchair walk and cycling ride to to an event that, according to Matheny president Steven Proctor, is “as much a community event as it is a fundraiser.  Our goal has always been to bring together the children and adults with disabilities with their able-bodied counterparts in a wonderful and uplifting day enveloped by the strong community spirit of our neighbors."