MOTHER-LOVIN’ DAY
Hundreds spend Mother’s Day morning racing for Kelley’s Angels
SARATOGA SPRINGS>> Hundreds of runners spent Mother’s Day morning racing in the fifth annual Kelly’s Angels Mother-Lovin’ Day 5K.
The race, a fundraiser for Kelly’s Angels, Inc., was founded by local resident Mark Mulholland, who lost his wife and the mother of his children Kelly Mulholland to cancer in 2007. He created the nonprofit as a way to continue his wife’s legacy.
Mulholland started Kelly’s Angels to benefit local children who have lost a parent or a sibling to cancer. Since its inception, the organization has helped dozens of children throughout the Capital Region with “fun grants,” which treat kids to something they consider fun, such as the experience of a major league baseball game, a Broadway show or a New York City shopping spree. Mulholland said that being able to help the grieving children is very rewarding.
The program started in just Saratoga County, but has now spread to benefit kids all over the Capital Region.
The Mother-Lovin’ Day 5K, which was designed as a fun and uplifting event for all, is the sole annual fundraiser for Kelly’s Angels. It typically raises about $15,000.
Sunday’s event, held in the Saratoga Spa State Park, began with a short Kids Fun Run followed by the 5K, in which runners, walkers, and supporters
participated.
Before the main race, Mulholland addressed the crowd of more than 600 people. “It is a fun event. It is an uplifting event, but we would also be remiss if we did not pause for a moment to remember some of the people who can’t be together with us this morning,” he said.
“We’ve all been touched by cancer. We’ve all been affected by cancer,” Mulholland continued. “Today I remember the person who is the namesake for this event and our organization, Kelly Mulholland, who was a terrific mom.”
Mulholland also recognized his sister, someone he lost just a couple of weeks ago, who was a second mother figure in his life.
After a moment of silence and the national anthem, race participants hit the course, commencing the fifth annual Kelly’s Angels Mother-Lovin’ Day 5K.
For the event’s fifth anniversary, Kelly’s Angels, Inc. made and distributed wristbands to contributors.
“I’d ask you to wear it and when people ask you what Kelly’s Angels is all about, please just tell them that we’re the organization that helps kids who have lost a parent to cancer, and we do that by bringing smiles to their faces and to their lives,” Mulholland said.
Many area families were at the event on Sunday, like the Pfliegers. Katie Pflieger, an avid runner, was happy to celebrate her Mother’s Day morning on the course with her daughter Celia. It was also special day for Celia, who turned three years old on Sunday. This was the first time her birthday fell on Mother’s Day. When Celia’s parents asked her what she wanted to do on her birthday, either go to the diner for breakfast or go to the run in the park, she - like her mom - chose the race.
For more information on Kelly’s Angels, or to apply for a fun grant, visit www.kellysangelsinc.org.