Submitted Photo Elaine and Wayne Hotelling were recognized by Senator George Borrello at the Resource Center after the relay portion of the Laurel Memorial Run.

SILVER CREEK — Silver Creek recently served as a gracious host for a successful 29th annual Laurel Run. Organizers Wayne and Elaine Hotelling visited the Village Board meeting two days later to thank the Village for its support of the event founded in honor of their daughter, Laurel, nearly three decades ago.

“It was a great day,” Wayne Hotelling said of the event. “Everything went really well.”

Wayne Hotelling said the Laurel Run had the best weekend of weather the event has seen in 10 to 12 years. He thanked the village’s Department of Public Works and its Fire Department and Fire Police for their efforts.

“We are so fortunate that over this period of time that we’ve had the Laurel Run, we haven’t had any issues. That’s due to you,” Wayne Hotelling said as he looked around the room and addressed members of the Fire Police and the Village Board. “… Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.”

Laurel Hotelling was a beloved member of the Silver Creek community who lived an impactful life of 54 years with Down’s Syndrome. The Laurel Memorial Run raises money for the Resource Center, while also raising awareness and visibility for those of all abilities.

Elaine Hotelling commended the community for how helpful it is each year with the annual event. She highlighted that whenever she walks into a store near the time of the Laurel Run, people rush to give donations.

“We’re just so thankful that everybody is so helpful with us. We sure couldn’t do it by ourselves,” Elaine Hotelling said.

Wayne Hotelling said next year’s event, the 30th annual Laurel Run, will be the last that he and his wife, Elaine, will coordinate. “We’ve gotten to the point where when we used to jump up, now we sort of get up very slowly,” Wayne Hotelling said. He expressed confidence in others in the community and through the Resource Center in carrying on the Laurel Run after next year.

Silver Creek Mayor Jeff Hornburg stated that the support he saw this year for newspaper sales to benefit the Laurel Run was the most he had ever seen in his years of participating in the sales. Sales throughout the OBSERVER and Post-Journal coverage area set a record with more than $4,600 collected.

Funds raised support Filling the Gap, Inc., a not-for-profit organization designated as 501(c)(3), based in Jamestown. This organization is dedicated to promoting and enhancing services for low-income, distressed, and underprivileged residents of Chautauqua County, with a particular emphasis on individuals with disabilities. Their efforts are concentrated in four key areas of focus, aimed at fostering support and development within the community.

One by one, members of the Village Board thanked the Hotellings and commended them for their 29 years of running the Laurel Run.

Village Trustee Sandra Lindstrom said of the event, “It’s always a really nice way to remember Laurel.”

Deputy Mayor Kathy Tampio added, “We look forward to your 30 years next year.”