Fundraiser kicks off in Wilkes-Barre to benefit veteran newspaper journalist

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Nearly 200 people set foot Sunday morning on Joe’s Early Bird 5K Run and One-Mile Walk.

The fundraiser at Kirby Park is to benefit the Times Leader Executive Editor Joe Soprano who is battling stage four esophageal cancer.

The run and walk, coupled with basket raffles, raised more than $18,000 to help Soprano and his family with medical expenses.

Stride for Life 5k walk/run kicked off in Kirby Park

“It’s really humbling and it’s overwhelming all at the same time. Just to see this many people come out to lend their support to me,” said Soprano.

“To watch the community come out and support him and his family has just been the most heartwarming experience ever and I am thrilled at the turnout and love it,” Amy Feldman, a friend and organizer, added.

A local running group, the Fit Chicks, helped make Sunday’s event possible.

They even made Soprano an honorary Fit Chick this past summer.

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