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Mount Mercy Academy to Host 20th 5K Race
On Friday June 8, 2018 at 6:30 PM in Cazenovia Park the gun will sound to begin the 20th annual 5K race to benefit Mount Mercy Academy. The race, which began in 1999 was originally known as Jack's Race but in 2008 was renamed the MMA 5K.
The race was begun to honor the memory of the late Jack Donahue, who from 1985 until his death in January of 1999 served as the cross country and track coach at Mount Mercy. The race was established in August of 1999 to provide scholarships in Donahue's name to provide a Catholic High School Education for deserving young women and to help maintain the necessary resources for the track and cross country programs.
Donahue's wife Kathleen and long-time friend and classmate Karen Connors Erickson have been involved in the race since its inception. The Erickson Family, owners of Connors Hot Dog Stand, have provided hot dogs for the racers and the others who attend the race.
This year's
race honorees are Jack Reid,
Kate Coughlin Lynch ´76, Don "Doc" Doctor, as well as Colleen Coyle ´99 and
Jillian Scarcello Cannan ´03, owners of "Buffalo Collective".
Jack Reid has served Bishop
Timon St. Jude High School in numerous capacities and has received several awards
for his dedication and volunteerism from Bishop Timon St. Jude. Reid was also awarded
the Michael J. Diggins Community Service Award from the Ryan Purcell Foundation
in 2013. Reid has been involved in the Jack Donohue Memorial 5K and MMA 5K for the
past 20 years
Kate Coughlin Lynch has
taught at Mount Mercy Academy for 24 years. She, along with her daughters,
Megan and Molly are graduates of Mount Mercy herself. Lynch is a member of the
school's Advisory and Planning Committee and the moderator of the Health Care
and Career Club. She has served as the
department chairperson, athletic director and golf and tennis coach. Lynch is
one of the women responsible for introducing golf and lacrosse to the Monsignor
Martin League
Don "Doc" Doctor is an
active committee member and volunteer for the Mount Mercy 5K race. In
recognition for his part with various neighborhood activities and events, Doctor
was awarded the Michael J. Diggins Community Service Award at the 2015 Ryan
Purcell Memorial 5K. He has served as director of the West Seneca Youth
Baseball Association and has logged hundreds of volunteer hours facilitating
activities for the West Seneca Youth Hockey. Doctor is a true advocate for our
community.
Colleen Coyle and Jillian Scarcello Cannan, both graduates of Mount Mercy Academy, have been co-owners of
Buffalo Collective since 2016. Buffalo Collective is a creative studio that
hosts DIY wood sign and apparel parties throughout Western New York. Buffalo
Collective has been a generous supporter of Mount Mercy and its fundraising
events.
Registration
for the race, as well as other pertinent details can be found on the Mount
Mercy Academy website. There is a post
race party for the runners and non-runners may also attend the party for a
nominal fee.
Mount Mercy Academy continues to be a true leader in our community, educating the young women of Western New York for over 110 years. Our Alumnae have grown to over 12,000 members, 70 percent of whom still live and work in Western New York. All proceeds from the MMA 5K directly benefit the students of Mount Mercy Academy and the Alumnae Scholarship Fund.