May. 26, 2023 By Maggie Wong
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park in Bayside on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.” This charity walk-a-thon supports vital programs and services at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children.
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Following the walk, attendees were welcomed with family fun activities, including carnival games, a magician, face painting, raffles, a chance to learn CPR, arts and crafts and more. The ticket funds raised will go toward helping St. Mary’s to continuously provide care to New York’s most critically ill and injured children – regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
By combining registrations for the walk-a-thon and other donations made online, more than $125,000 was raised, a huge increase compared to the $98,000 raised from last year’s event.
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St/ Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Sean Lally, chief strategy and quality officer and vice president of development and external affairs of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, was grateful for the number of people that came.
“It rained quite a bit last year, [but] I would say the outpouring of community support continues to grow. And so this year featured more attractions, more community members, more volunteers and more patients and their families,” he said.
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Lally wanted to recognize Mark Boccia, owner of Bourbon Street in Bayside, and Christine Duffy, project manager of strategic initiatives at St. Mary’s. Both individuals have made immeasurable contributions to St. Mary’s over the past several years, going above and beyond to serve medically fragile children and their families, according to Lally.
“It’s a wonderful day for our entire Bayside community to see firsthand the gem that is St. Mary’s that’s right in their backyard, to see the extraordinary kids that they can help support and do help support through programs like our walk.”
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, located at 29-01 216th St. in Bayside, has been the primary provider of long-term and rehabilitative care for New York’s most critically ill and injured children since the 1870s.
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.”Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s
Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Crocheron Park on Sunday, May 21, for the 17th annual “Big Hearts Walk for St. Mary’s Kids.“Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s