Suffolk County Marathon funds dispersed to vets groups

Several organizations that help veterans were presented Wednesday with funds raised during last year's Suffolk County Marathon. 
Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone, along with representatives from Catholic Health Services, were on hand to present a check totaling $143,500 at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip. 
News 12 reported in January that several veterans groups were still waiting on funds from the inaugural marathon in 2015. Organizers and the county executive say the process has since been ironed out and all proceeds from the last two years have been distributed.
"We have a process in place that makes it as quick and seamless as possible while at the same time making sure we are protecting those dollars," says Bellone. 
One of the groups receiving funds is Paws of War – an organization that matches rescue dogs with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. 
"This year, it's more streamlined," says Dori Scofield, of Paws of War. 
The 2017 marathon will be held Oct. 29. Organizers announced new additions to this year's event, including a relay race and a virtual marathon. The event, which also features a 5K and a half-marathon, is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.