Third annual Liberty race benefits B.A.T.S. house

By: JOSEPH ABRAHAM | DEMOCRAT

Runners are off to the races!

LIBERTY – Veterans. They make the ultimate sacrifice to fight for our freedoms. And for many of them their fight isn’t always over when they return from the battlefield. One local organization has worked tirelessly to help local veterans. Begin Again Transition Services (B.A. T.S.) was established through the ministry of New Beginnings Community Worship Center Inc. and it’s the first all-male veterans transitional home in Sullivan County.
For the third consecutive year, runners took to the streets in the Village of Liberty in the Run for Vets 5K and 10K, with race proceeds benefiting the B.A.T.S house on Dixon Avenue in Liberty.
In the 10K, Jennifer Nolan took first with a time of 47:06.7. In the 5K, Michael Parlapiano, a Woodbourne resident, dethroned Liberty alum and SUNY Cortland runner Branden Law who won the race the first two years.
Children were also able to take part in a one-mile fun run. Also, Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature and Liberty native Luis Alvarez was in attendance to offer his support for the event, its participants and veterans.

Race results
10K
1. Jennifer Nolan 47:06.7
2. Modou Joof 50:12.7
3. Joshua Nolan 50:50.1
4. Bill Schneider 53:21.2
5. Christian Farrell 53:42.2
6. Angela Dutcher 55:04.3
7. Dane Groszek 1:16:46.5

5K
Top 10 overall
1. Michael Parlapiano 20:52.8
2. Branden Law 22:14.9
3. Barbara Ferrante 23:28.9
4. Austin Nystrom 25:03.7
5. Christa Tyler 25:23.6
6. Martin Nowak Jr 27:08.8
7. Ed Omalley 27:38.7
8. John Monchak 27:42.7
9. Gina Shultis 27:45.0
10. Patrick Burke 28:35.2

Info on the B.A.T.S. house
The project provides transitional housing and supportive services for homeless veterans. A total of 8-10 male veterans can be served at one time. The main goals are to help each veteran achieve greater self-determination, improved residential stability, and increased income and/or job skills. These goals are achieved through individual service plans that are developed by the Care Coordinator with the input of each individual client. Individuals who are seeking housing must obtain or have a DD214 that states they have earned an honorable discharge.