FUNDRAISER RACE
Thousands participate in Saratoga Palio Melanie Merola O’Donnell Memorial Race
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The local running community came out in full force on Sunday for the 14th annual Saratoga Palio Melanie Merola O’Donnell Memorial Race.
Each September, more than 1,000 participants gather on Broadway in Saratoga Springs for this race in Merola O’Donnell’s name.
The Saratoga Springs native, who focused her career on relieving suffering inflicted by mental illness, died in a car accident in 2006 at the age of 33 while in the midst of doctoral studies in psychology.
Proceeds from the race benefit The Melanie Foundation, which aims to foster support for the mental health field. The foundation contributes to this mission through scholarships awarded to graduate students pursuing an education in a mental health field as well as direct contributions to local organizations that address mental health concerns.
“Our goal for this event has always been to extend Melanie’s legacy through not just funding the scholarships, but also by connecting with the community,” said George O’Donnell, president of The Melanie Foundation. “Saratoga is where she grew up and where she returned to establish our family.
“We’ve always felt that it was important to establish an event that connected the community physically and otherwise, which is why we really strive to hit many of the highlights of the city on the course and find com
munity-focused organizations with whom we can share our success.”
This year, The Melanie Foundation chose to support the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children). Every week, SNACpack volunteers come together to pack approximately 140 backpacks full of childfriendly, non-perishable, easily consumed foods for distribution to children who do not have enough food to sustain them over weekends or during vacations from school.
“SNACpack is a great example of a local organization doing really good things that might not get the same visibility as larger programs,” O’Donnell continued. “By sharing with SNACpack some of the money raised this weekend; we’re hoping to not only help fund them but also help the community see the great work they’re doing.”
Funds raised by the annual race help with these efforts.
During each Saratoga Palio, organizers work to have an event that’s more than just a race, O’Donnell said. “We love to see people out cheering on the runners, visiting us at the finish line in Congress Park for the Kids Fun Run, and joining us for the post-race festivities at Druthers.”
Melanie Foundation board member Courtney Huff, who was a close friend of Merola O’Donnell, also commented on the sense of community.
“The Saratoga Palio has always been about so much more than who has the fastest race time, or who wins in each age group,” she said. “Each year we are moved by the strangers who approach us to tell us stories about how Melanie touched their lives. Even now, almost 14 years later, we are meeting people whose lives were positively affected by her. It’s always been important to us that Melanie’s legacy lives on, so these stories mean the world to us.”
The community helps make the now 14-year tradition possible, O’Donnell noted.
“We get a lot of support throughout the community - public servants providing logistical support on and around the course, local businesses who sponsor the event with a wide range of donations, the runners and walkers who create compelling competition and energy, neighbors who line the streets and sidewalks to support the competitors, and the dozens and dozens of volunteers who make it all happen,” he said. “It’s really moving to see it all come together on race day - a true community event that people can feel good about.
“We’re extremely grateful for all of the support we continue to receive from everyone in the community.”