Join Us in a Memorial Tribute to Friends and Volunteers, Dave and Marisa Clark

David H. Clark became part of the STRIDE family in the 1993 after meeting Mary Ellen through the OC Ski Club. He quickly became a vibrant life force at STRIDE. He served as a Board member, ski instructor, camp volunteer and fund-raising chairperson for many years and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 1996. His life was cut short on July 4, 2002 in a tragic boating accident. Dave's special qualities were friendliness, ever present grin, happiness, loyalty, fairness, justice, positivity, and willingness to always assist and help children, elderly, family and friends. Dave worked for Travers O'Keefe Insurance, and married Marisa Galante September 11, 1999.

Marisa GalanteClark, passed away February 2, 2006 after a short 8 month battle with cancer. Nearly everyone in STRIDE knew Marisa, because of her warm heart and incredible strength. Marisa was diagnosed in winter of 2005, and chose to keep her diagnosis private to protect those close to her. Her doctors limited her life to six months, and she fought the aggressive disease with dignity and strength. Marisa, so selfless, even in the planning of her own service, was honoring STRIDE andasked for donations to STRIDE in lieu of flowers for her memorial service. In addition, she did not want name recognition with her husband’s Memorial Fund as to not diminish his memory by adding her name. Instead she requested donations be made to STRIDE in her honor, with a goal to assist in hiring salaried staff for STRIDE.Her wish was brought to fruition a year later with donations collected in her name. Marisa can be remembered as one of our finest volunteers, working tirelessly at the Masquerade Ball, the Great Race, and the Golf Tournament. She was on the planning committee for the Teen Dance each year, and she oversaw the Dave Clark Memorial Fund – governing requests for scholarship money to kids in need.

It has now been over 15 years since we lost Dave and 10 years since Marisa passed. STRIDE has grown and changed drastically. Few people know of Dave or Marisa any longer, yet their devotion to children continues to serve through the David H. Clark Memorial Fund which gives scholarship funding to youth in STRIDE for activities which they cannot afford, such as skiing lessons and bike camp. The committee is governed by 3 members; Peter Clark, Dave’s identical twin, Shelly Brown and Mary Sapp, who were friends of Dave and Marisa. For this reason, we propose to make some changes to the fund in order to preserve both their memories, and revive the fund.

Name change for the fund: David H. and Marisa Clark Memorial Fund

By law changes to the Fund: Allow funding for adaptive needsto low income families who are in need of recreation opportunities and cannot afford ancillary costs. Previously the by-laws limited awards to STRIDE-endorsed events of skiing; camping; bike camp and occasionally other activities/events at the discretion of the committee

Changed by-law wording to ‘Govern awards to allow the recipient(s) to participate in STRIDE-endorsed activities/events/equipment at the discretion of the Memorial Fund Committee”

It is important to STRIDE to preserve the historical characteristics of Dave and Marisa and to allow growth of their fund, as they would surely endorse. Therefore, we come to you to assist.

You may contribute to the memorial fund, or to a memorial bench which will be placed on our new patio. The memorial bench will read the names of both Dave and Marisa. The bench will cost nearly $1,200, any amount of donation is much appreciated from every member of the STRIDE family.

To contribute by card:

Name on Card: ______

Card Type : ______

Expiration Date:______/______

CV2 Number: ______

To contribute cash or check:

Please mail any donation to,

STRIDE Adaptive Sports 4482 NY Highway 150

West Sand Lake, NY 12196

To contribute online:

Visit our page, STRIDE.org. Go to ‘REGISTER.’

Click ‘Scholarships.’Scroll down to the

bottom and select the ‘DONATE NOW’ button.