October 4, 2025 - Wolfe’s Pond, Staten Island

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On a beautiful, crisp, golden fall morning, we welcomed a wonderful turnout of spellers, parents, runners, walkers, practitioners, and community supporters to the CrimsonRise Waterfront Run • Walk • Roll 2025. Runners, walkers, families, spellers, disabled athlete participating with Achilles International took part side-by-side. Autistic speller Max Asofsky, partnered with his mother Melanie Asofsky, also ran, embodying the spirit of inclusion, agency, and communication access.

We thank Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella for joining us and supporting communication as a human right. Over 40 volunteers helped make the morning seamless and joyful. Prize money of $250, $150, and $100 was awarded to the top male and female runners, with spellers Griffin Barry, Cristofer Puleo, and Ava Kennedy proudly presenting awards to the winners.

The event raised essential support for CrimsonRise programs and highlighted the strength, leadership, and community of our spellers and allies.

Our Honorees

Nicholas D’Amora
Cofounder
CrimsonRise

Nicholas D’Amora is a cofounder at CrimsonRise. He and three exceptional young men - Cristofer Puleo, Tejas Rao Sankar, William Jusino cofounded CrimsonRise after gaining a voice through Spelling to Communicate. Nicholas D’Amora was a gifted public speller, advocate who was able to convince educators and parents that nonspeaking autistics are capable and have been underestimated because they lack speech. Nicholas passed at the age of 25 and LivesOn as an organ donor. The CrimsonRise Waterfront Run/Walk/Roll is part of the LiveOn Triple Crown series.

David Panza
President
SIAC

David Panza, President of the Staten Island Athletic Club, began competitive running with the 1979 NYC Marathon and has since completed 13 more marathons and many half-marathons.

David is focusing on 3-mile and 5K races and is a Fun Run coordinator since 2000. His leadership has created a lasting impact on the community.

David has been an ally since our inaugural run two years ago, supporting us every year with his expertise in course planning, race logistics, and deep knowledge of the local running scene. He has helped us secure course marshals, volunteer medical professionals, and much more.
His vision is to attract younger members to the running community and keep the sport thriving on Staten Island.

Stephanie Debes
Founder
MakeUp On Wheels Foundation

Stephanie Debes is the founder of The Makeup on Wheels Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the needs of the disabled community. She is a NYS Licensed and NCEA Certified Esthetician, a makeup artist specializing in SFX and beauty, an event planner, and a passionate disability awareness activist.

Her commitment to inclusion, especially through her work with The Makeup on Wheels Foundation, made a lasting impact on our CrimsonRise Waterfront Run/Walk/Roll event and everyone who participated. She met with our team and spellers with warmth and respect, ensuring every voice felt seen and valued. Stephanie supported us with her insight into accessibility, creative ideas, and unwavering passion for making spaces welcoming to people of all abilities.

Our Sponsors

Event
$5,000

LaBella Marketplace

Bib
$2,500

The Votto Family

Timing
$1,500

William Serrao

Registration
$1,500

The Valley Bank

Beverage
$750

Kim Cooks
Grace Foundation of NY
Massimo DiDonna

Friends
$500

On Your Mark
Simon-Maxon family
James and Yvonne Caldarella
Victoria's Educational Services
Michael DeVitto
The MakeUp on Wheels Foundation
The Tucci Family
Doreen Cugno

1/2 K Marker
$250

Paula Delfino
Integrative Neuropsychological
    Services PLLC
Carmine Bellotti
St Frances De Sales School for
    the Deaf
Celeste Clifford
Seaman's Society For Children
    and Families
John Ferrera

Tabling
$100

Invictus Bakery