CONTACT: Lt. Pete Terry, 315-233-2543.

FOR RELEASE: Saturday, Oct 08, 2011

LIVERPOOL, NY (10/07/2011)-- More than 150 National Guard and community runners will participate in a Hometown Heroes run sponsored by the New York National Guard Family Readiness Council on Saturday, October 8 at Onondaga Lake Park. WHO: New York Army and Air National Guard members and community runners. WHAT: The ’Hometown Heroes Run’ sponsored by the New York National Guard Family Readiness Council, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will raise funds to benefit the families of Army and Air National Guard service members across the state. WHERE: Willow Bay Shelter, Onondaga Lake Park, 3813 Long Branch Rd, Liverpool, NY 13088. WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. Race starts at 9:15 a.m. Kids race at 8:45 a.m. Coverage Opportunities: Imagery of runners preparing and running the 5k race. There will be opportunities to interview race organizers and participants. Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York plans to attend. BACKGROUND: Members of the National Guard come under unique pressures when they are activated for federal or state duty in times of emergency. Unlike active duty military members, "Citizen Soldiers" do not live on or near military bases that can provide the range of support services to families during periods of separation. The Council helps fill the financial void that is often created during periods of service deployments or separations for Citizen Soldiers. Military personnel are routinely supported by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Family Program; however, as a state agency, they are prohibited from soliciting donations. The New York National Guard has mobilized over 11,000 Soldiers and Airmen for active duty and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as homeland security duties throughout New York State since September 11, 2001. The Family Readiness Counsel provides direct and indirect assistance to the family members of the New York Organized Militia through grant programs, family readiness workshops and education events as well as through family readiness outreach programs. A similar run has already been held this year in the Albany area.