A GIFT FROM AND FOR THE HEART — Officials involved with the 2023 Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run/Walk event met Wednesday with local nonprofits and donated funds raised in last month’s run. Those taking part in the check presentations included from left, front, Leigha Shreve, Ohio Valley American Heart Association; Lauren Thomas, development director of the heart association; Jim Orsini, Toronto Kiwanis Club president; Laura Rauch, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County; second row, Jane Schockey, Bill Shipe, Melody McBride, Maureen Taggart, Don Clarke, and back, Fred Burns, Buster Bowman, George Murray and Mike Biasi, event organizer and coordinator. -- Contributed

TORONTO — Its purpose is to remember two men taken from this world far too early. Men who meant a great deal to those throughout their community.

Its mission is to raise money for local nonprofits — a means of giving back so as to continue that love for humanity which these men encompassed.

The Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run/Walk event is a run or walk which takes place in the Gem City each July. The race is named for the late Gino Biasi and Mike Shuma. The two men’s families are among the fundraiser’s many supporters, including Biasi’s son, Mike, who serves as the 5K’s coordinator.

Biasi has owned the paper recycling plant, Valley Converting, which is now overseen by Mike. Shuma worked at TIMET Metals Corp. and was a commentator on the radio program, Ohio Valley Game Night. “Mike Shuma and Gino Biasi were men that loved their community,” Mike Biasi stated.

“And so years later, to have more than 200 community members join us on a hot, Saturday morning in July, it just means a lot to know the impact they continue to have in Toronto.”

The run’s mission is to raise as much money as possible and donate the proceeds to local nonprofit agencies so they, in turn, can help those throughout the community. Mike Biasi was able to present representatives from the nonprofit agencies with a check during a luncheon held Wednesday afternoon.

“Every year we continue to exceed our numbers from the previous year,” Biasi stated. “We are so proud to have donated more than $103,000 to the community over the years, including $20,000 to the Ohio Valley Heart Association and the Jefferson County United Way this year alone.” In addition, proceeds are used to help fund a scholarship for a Toronto High School graduate each spring, it was noted.

And the recipients are more than grateful for the donations.

“The Ohio Valley American Heart Association chapter is extremely grateful for the support of the Biasi-Shuma 5K,” stated Lauren Thomas, development director of the heart association. “The money that they raise goes toward life-saving research and bringing awareness to our community about heart disease and the impact that it has on our lives every single day.”

“We are grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Toronto for their continued support of the American Heart Association’s mission,” Thomas added.

Lauren Rauch, executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, expressed her appreciation for the event’s generosity.

“We are beyond grateful to have been chosen to be the recipients of the proceeds from the 2023 Biasi-Shuma 5K, organized by Mike Biasi,” Rauch said. “He is a true champion for our community. He is involved in many projects and worthy causes right here in Jefferson County.”

“Mike has never turned us away for anything that we need assistance with,” Rauch continued. “The Kiwanis Club of Toronto has also supported us for a long time. I had the pleasure of volunteering for the 5K this year. It is always so well-organized, and its participants have a great time. It was great to see familiar faces and new people as well. It really warmed my heart to see young run clubs from local schools participate.”

“The proceeds from the 5K go toward us, the United Way of Jefferson County and the Ohio Valley Heart Association — two causes who help so many people. On behalf of myself, our staff and our board of directors, we can’t thank the Biasi family and the Kiwanis Club of Toronto enough for their kindness and generosity,” Rauch concluded.

This year’s run/walk had approximately 210 participants, according to organizers, who stated runners and walkers came from both near and far, including locations such as Barnesville, Shadyside, St. Clairsville and Bergholz. Procter and Belington, W.Va. were represented as well, making this the best-attended event in its history.