Family organizes 5K run in Millstone Township

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - The Petrella family wants to help unite the community their son loved so much.

In an effort to bring area residents together for a good cause, Brittany, 17, Corinne, 20, and parents Shirley and John Petrella Sr. have organized a 5K run throughout Millstone Township, which will take place on June 10.

The Petrellas want the family-oriented event to honor their son, John Jr., who used to love walking throughout the community to meet new people, according to Shirley Petrella, spokesperson for the family. John Jr. passed away unexpectedly in October 2003 at the age of 16.

"We are no longer mourning the death of our son," Petrella said. "We are celebrating his life and keeping his memory alive by doing good in our community. We feel he is with us when we do this."

The event will help raise money for the John W. Petrella Jr. Scholarship Fund. Over the years, the family has used the fund to contribute almost $6,000 to the Transitions Classroom program at Allentown High School's Imlaystown campus. The fund has also provided $12,000 in scholarships to students at Kiva High School, a vocational school located in Tinton Falls that services students in Monmouth County, according to Petrella.

In addition, the Petrellas use the fund to provide scholarships to deserving Allentown High School seniors, Petrella said, as well as merit awards, including gift certificates, to area eighth-graders.

The family has modeled the nonsanctioned 5K race after the township's annual Witches Hollow Run. Because the Petrellas are aiming to attract people of all ages, participants will be able to walk, jog or run during the event, which will not be a timed race, according to Petrella.

Those who do not run but would still like to make a donation would receive a free T-shirt along with the participants. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund, according to Petrella.

Area residents can pick up entry forms for the 5K run at the Millstone Township municipal building on Millstone Road, or at the PNC Bank, located on the corner of Millstone Road and Route 33.

Those who wish to participate must preregister. The family will collect entry forms until May 15, according to Petrella.

The event will take place rain or shine and will begin at 9 a.m. Participants will meet prior to start time at the Millstone Township Elementary School, according to Petrella.

John Jr. passed away suddenly at his family's Old Oak Court home on Oct. 17, 2003. Although investigators believed his death was a suicide, the family still has many unanswered questions regarding the unusual circumstances surrounding the death of their beloved son and brother.