Our Mission Statement
Runs for Ronnie was created to honor a selfless, giving man who believed in helping others. Ronnie passed away in January 2011 from renal cancer. He donated to the Annual Giving Drive at St. Christopher’s Church to help those in need. He was also very passionate about raising money to help fight children’s cancer. He did this on several occasions when he participated in Fantasy Day at Fenway. This event raises money for The Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). DFCI is well renowned for its treatment and research of cancer, for both children and adults. Runs for Ronnie was established to offer assistance to patients and their families fighting cancer.
Our Organization
.Runs for Ronnie is made up of family and friends of Ronnie Biegner. The organization was created to honor the legacy that Ronnie began when he was alive of being generous and caring about others.
Ronnie Biegner
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Ronnie Biegner grew up in Valley Stream, NY. As a child, he played football and baseball, and was a fan of the Mets and the Jets. As a high school graduate, he enlisted in the Army where he was a unit clerk and part of the softball team. Ronnie was very good at hitting home runs. He was honorably discharged and went to work at the investment banking company JP Morgan Chase, where he worked his way up from clerk to the Vice President of Government Purchases and Sales. It was here where one of his business colleagues introduced him to Fantasy Day at Fenway. Ronnie raised funds to be able to attend this event coordinated by The Jimmy Fund (the sole financial supporter of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) which allows donors to try and hit the “Green Monster” and field on the Red Sox diamond. He successfully hit the “Monster” a few times. Ronnie was always willing to help others in need, especially children with cancer.
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Meet Our Team
Get to know the Runs for Ronnie family!
Madeline Biegner-Lazzara
PresidentMadeline, Ronnie’s sister, is the President of Runs for Ronnie. She is the youngest and only girl in the Biegner family. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a Master’s in Medical Biology. She has been considered the “doctor” of the family. Madeline works full time at a food analysis company when she is not organizing the chance auction, Paint Night or Guest Bartending. Madeline loves to bowl and play softball on several different leagues. She continues to strive to hit the Big Green Monster at Fenway.
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George Biegner
TreasurerGeorge, Ronnie’s youngest brother, is the Treasurer for Runs for Ronnie. George is a CPA for a pharmaceutical company. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting. George is an avid runner, something that him and Ronnie had in common. George has accomplished running in the NYC Marathon two times. When he runs in NYC, Ronnie is always by his side.
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Susan Biegner
SecretarySusan, Ronnie’s sister-in-law, works in HR for a leading company. She is the owner of a consignment company that sells used children’s items. She is thrifty and always trying to help others. Susan created the organization name and logo. She is very creative and always has great ideas to contribute.
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Volunteers
Our volunteers support the Runs for Ronnie mission in various ways, from publicizing our organization to running our events. We could not be successful without them! Meet a few of them now:
Vinny Lazzara
Runs for Ronnie is definitely a family affair. Vinny, Madeline’s husband, is retired from TWA/American Airlines and the Long Island Railroad. He has many hobbies and being a DJ is one of them. He keeps everyone jamming to the tunes at every event. When he is not behind the microphone, he is heating things up in the kitchen as one of our house chefs at the Ronald McDonald House dinner program.
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Robin Lazzara
Robin, Ronnie’s eldest niece, has a degree in TV & Film Arts from Buffalo State. Robin started her career on Murphy Brown (2018) and A Quiet Place Part II (2019). She is also the Production Manager at LiteWork Media Buffalo, a freelance production company in Western NY. She photographs all Runs for Ronnie events and creates promotional videos to help spread the word of the Runs for Ronnie mission. She keeps things up to date on Instagram and Facebook.
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Andrew Lazzara
Andrew, Ronnie’s eldest nephew & Godson, attends Cortland and is studying Sport Management, something Ronnie would be very proud of. Andrew has played an active role in helping set up and break down at each event as well as delivering all the baskets to all of the lucky winners. Andrew has played baseball and football, and has always strived to hit the Big Green Monster just like Uncle Ronnie.
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Christine Biegner
Christine Biegner, Ronnie’s sister-in-law, is a patient care assistant at a local hospital. She is an avid bowler, something she did with both Ronnie and her late husband, Michael (Ronnie’s other brother). She has played a vital role in soliciting donations from local businesses as well as wrapping baskets, setting up for events and selling 50/50 tickets at every event we hold. Michael baked chocolate chip cookies for all events in the past, but now Christine is the baker of the family. Sadly, Michael passed away in March 2019 from renal cancer.
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Annabel Biegner
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Reece Biegner
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Jack Biegner
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Annabel, Reece and Jack are Ronnie’s niece, nephew and Godson. Annabel enjoys soccer and ballet. Reece is one heck of a soccer player and loves video games. Jack has played soccer and has begun running cross country as well as track. Since the inception of Runs for Ronnie, all three have had critical roles at the annual fundraiser. Annabel and Reece pull raffle ticket prizes and read hundreds of ticket numbers, while Jack delivers winning baskets to attendees. Jack has moved up to selling entrance tickets and handing out wristbands.
Our Advisory Board
Thomas Limerick |
Donna Ships |