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Run/Walk celebrates three decades with Sunday's event |
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Front Page -
Front Page Story
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Written by Tom Chapin and Matthew Steffy
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Tuesday, 31 March 2009 |
John Orsich (left) and Erin Cameron, volunteers for the Jefferson County ARC, are getting ready for the 30th annual Run/Walk for Someone Special Sunday in Sykesville. (Photo by Tom Chapin/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The early forecast for this Sunday's upcoming Run/Walk for Someone Special is out of the ordinary, in that it's calling for sunny skies and a high around 60.
In other words, the forecast doesn't include the word "rain."
"Bad weather is our tradition," Pat Mowrey, who coordinates the annual event, said recently.
But sunny skies are in order for this year's Run/Walk for Someone Special, as organizers and participants celebrate the 30th anniversary of the event, from which 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Jefferson ARC's Camp Friendship in Reynoldsville.
"The people that benefit are the mentally-challenged people (of the county)," Mowrey said. "They are the ones that we do this for.
"The reason I do it, is all the money stays local," he said. "I know none of us gets paid, and every nickel stays local. That's been my motto for 30 years."
"This is a very nice event," said Frank Hetrick, who first started working on the Run/Walk in 1980. "The money is raised here, locally, and it will stay in the area. It won't be sent to some national organization."
According to Erin Cameron, who has also volunteered for the event for several years, all funds raised through the Run/Walk are used to provide children and adults with disabilities from Jefferson County and the DuBois area a two-week summer camp.
"Camp Friendship is a great place for these individuals," Hetrick said. "It's out in the country, and there's a lake. It's really great for the kids to use."
Funds also support the ARC's adult recreational and socialization program and the All Kids Count program, Cameron said.
Mowrey and his father, Hap — who was a member of the Jefferson County ARD board — founded the event in 1979.
"Back 30 years ago — when I had good knees — we needed a fund-raiser, and it started as a run," he said. "We didn't know what we were doing then. We were dumb and happy. We made about two or three grand. As we kept on going, we got smarter."
"They were the brainchild of the event," Hetrick said.
"He has devoted so much time and energy. He's in contact with city hall; he gets all the volunteers; he plans the route through town; he's a great guy. He has a private business. He's a busy man, and he still finds time to do this."
Since that first race in 1979, the Run/Walk has evolved into a big-time event that attracts serious runners from all over the region.
The race is also timed by the same group that times the Pittsburgh Marathon.
"They are professional timers, and they do a good job, to the second," Mowrey said.
Of course, those who don't care to actually run in the two- or five-mile races can leisurely walk the course.
A special education teacher in the DuBois School District, Hetrick said he's grateful that individuals with special needs have the chance to enjoy a facility such as Camp Friendship.
"Of course, they have school throughout most of the year," he said.
"It's nice to know that they have a place for recreation through the summer and on weekends. We're absolutely overjoyed with anything we earn. We're just so happy that we have the support of the community."
Teetering between the beginning of spring and remaining remnants of winter, the Run/Walk has also been occasionally famous — or infamous — for the weather of the day.
Rain is not unexpected, but Mowrey recalled one year there was six inches of snow on the ground.
"It was a hassle," he said. "We rescheduled it for next week. I do remember that. Only a couple years, we've had flurries, but it's not bad."
A number of Pittsburgh Steelers have appeared at the Run/Walk, Mowrey said, as well as the Pirate Parrot, who will again take part this year. There have also been thousands of prizes given away and tons of fun, Mowrey said.
"It's a fun day," he said.
"We played the ‘Rocky' record, had a lot of games, a lot of prizes, food. Everything we get is donated.
"We keep plugging away," Mowrey said.
"We all realize the economy is terrible. We made roughly $30,000 last year. If we manage half of that, I'll be tickled."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 April 2009 )
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