Eisenhower Park was packed on Sunday, Oct. 3 as over 4,000 people participated in the 10th Annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walkathon.

Volunteers arrived as early as 5:45 a.m. to help set up for the event. Michael Paffmann and Matt Dimmling, juniors from Carle Place Middle School/High School (CP MS/HS), showed up before dawn to help construct the balloon arch, set up tables and place route markers along the walking path. As the sun came up, the rest of the CP MS/HS contingent of volunteers arrived to inflate balloons, paint faces, help with registration and prepare food.

Julianne DiFrisco, a freshman, said she participates in the walk because "It feels good helping out, especially when you know this could help someone you know with diabetes."

While Winnie the Pooh, Clifford and Sponge Bob (Matt Laurino, Mike Gaffney and Peter Gaffney, respectively) walked around entertaining some of the youngest walkers, others were kept dancing by WALK-FM. CP MS/HS volunteers Jennifer Paffmann, Catherine DiFisco, Bridget Kelly and Kristen Dimmling were in constant demand as they painted hands and faces of walkers with stars, snakes and other requests. Eleventh graders Chris Kelly, Matt Lesmeister and Brian Offermann were busy blowing up balloons for many participants while DiFrisco and Shannon Kelly helped prepare and serve hot dogs and other food items.

When asked why he volunteers at the walkathon, Dimmling stated, "A friend of mine has diabetes and this is my way to show support for him and a good cause. Hopefully, the money they raise today will help find a cure for this disease."

Offerman said, "This is my second year volunteering for the walk. It's fun, you meet new people and it's for a good cause. I plan to be back next year to help again."

Kristen Dimmling added, "I started walking for JDRF in kindergarten because Cherry Lane School does a walk each year. That got me started and now I like to help with this walk."

As Barbara Rogus, executive director of the LI Chapter explained, "We couldn't do the walk without the volunteers. We couldn't run the chapter without the volunteers."

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walkathon is the largest fundraising event of the Long Island chapter. Every fall the chapter holds this event to raise funds for research into the cure for diabetes. Since its inception, the LI walkathon has raised approximately $4 million. This year, JDRF's LI chapter, which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties, hopes to raise $1 million. Rogus stated that with these funds, the foundation "hopes to wipe this disease out soon."

Through walks held nationwide, JDRF expects to raise $80 million of which 80 cents of each donated dollar goes directly to worldwide research and education. The JDRF Walkathon has contributed to increased awareness of the disease, better care for diabetes and increased research into a cure for diabetes. JDRF is continuing to accept donations to help find a cure.

Donations can be sent to JDRF at 532 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY.