By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
October 20, 2026-A charity run started by a soccer family is still going strong as the 15th Annual Marianne Volpe 5K, Diaper Dash and Pumpkin Fun Run takes place this Saturday, October 24 at Baldwin Harbor Park.
Marianne Volpe
Blood cancer support is important to the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) because of the life of Marianne Volpe. The Baldwin resident was 56 years old when she died of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer, leaving behind her husband Jim, daughters Chelsea and Shaun, three brothers, five sisters and countless friends. There are many stories of extraordinary people like Marianne whose lives are cut tragically short by this disease.
Jim is a Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Eastern New York Hall of Famer, an ENYYSA Trustee who served as Director of the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program (ODP) for over a decade. Both Chelsea and Shaun grew up playing in the LIJSL, then played for Manhattan College and are still involved in the game today. The family started the Marianne Volpe 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run the day before Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and both the soccer and running communities have been helping out ever since.
Shaun, Jim and Chelsea Volpe
More than $300,000 from the run has been raised for Blood Cancer United, which was formally known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It’s the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research towards cures for blood cancers. Since its inception in 1949, Blood Cancer United has provided more than $2 billion to research and support to all 100+ types of blood cancer.
On Saturday, October 24, the Diaper Dash (for babies under two who are able to crawl) starts at 9:00 am, the kids’ half-mile run dubbed the Pumpkin Fun Run (for ages 10 and younger) is at 9:10 am and both of those events are free. The Marianne Volpe 5K starts at 9:30 am.
Click here to register or simply to donate.
For more information about the event, please contact Jim Volpe at 516-805-3765.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/