2006 Run for the Everlasting Cure
Arlington, Virginia (United States)
The Arlington, VA Christadelphian Ecclesia sponsored a 5km Run/Walk to join other ecclesias around the world to pray for those suffering with cancer.
We began the run/walk in Warrenton, VA at 10 am on Nov. 25th. We gathered at 9:30 am to sign-in, provide donations, sign cards for brethren that are currently suffering with cancer, add names to a list of people to pray for, and write the names of those we were running for on the signs we pinned to our shirts.
Brother Steve Walker did a beautiful job of bringing us to focus on why we were there. He spoke of our hope, read a portion of Isaiah 40, mentioned those we know who are suffering from cancer, and prayed for them as well as for Christ's soon return to the earth.
The brethren that are suffering from cancer that we prayed for specifically were:
- Bro. Allen Walker, Richmond, VA
- Sis. Michelle Hewitson, Illinois
- Sis. Sarah Culver, Canada
- Willis, the husband of Sis. Judy Risdon, Arlington, VA, who had been diagnosed with cancer just three days before the Run
- And family members of other Arlington members who are suffering from cancer and not in the Truth
We were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day and 22 people participated in the walk/run. We had participants of many different ages join and even a few of our furry friends. Following the run, participants enjoyed bottled water, yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola bars. Each participant received a Certificate of Participation upon completion.
We are thankful to report that we were able to raise $1,086.50 for the Michelle Hewitson Fund through WCF.
Congratulations to our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners!
- Men's: 1st - Casey Opitz, 2nd - Jacob Walker, 3rd - Adam Winfree
- Women's: 1st - Kelli Faxio, 2nd - Becky Opitz, 3rd - Christel Davis
- Children's: 1st - Luke Opitz, 2nd - Dominiq Castillo Porterfield
I was very pleased with the way everything turned out for our first Run for the Everlasting Cure and look forward to doing this again next year, Lord willing. Now that a lot of the groundwork has been completed and may be used in future years for this event, I have noted some improvements that I would suggest.
- Begin planning early
- Advertise to the public as well as with the Christadelphians far in advance
- Create registration forms when inviting the general public, which may be used for contacting when planning future Christadelphian events/preaching efforts
- Prepare pamphlets to hand out to participants that may have questions about the Christadelphians
- If inviting the general public, suggest creating t-shirts to hand out (included in the registration fee, which would then increase to $25 per person)
- Ensure the rental of a Dons Jon or ensure that there is a bathroom accessible from the trail
- Will need to register our group activity with the Parks & Recreation Dept. for the county that the trail is located, if the group is much larger
- When inviting the general public, will need an accurate time-keeping system and awards for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each age/gender category
- When inviting the general public, will need to ensure the accurate measurement of a 5km race on the trail
Some items that came in very handy:
- Box of tissues
- Handi-wipes
- Trash bag
- Cooler of ice for water and refreshments
- Folding table to set everything up on
- Pens, Markers, Tape, and Safety Pins
- Camera
- I laminated the back of each printed sign before the run date, which made the sign more durable but still allowed the participants to write the names of those they were running for, in marker on the front.
Sis. Amy Lagasse, Arlington:
What a wonderful idea this was! The Run for the Everlasting Cure site proved to be a great resource for information and suggestions that helped us get started.
We were able to raise over $1000 for the Michelle Hewitson Fund through this activity, in addition to praying for our brethren that are suffering from cancer.
We were blessed with a beautiful day and enjoyed the fellowship with our Brothers and Sisters.
The attached photo is of the 22 participants in the 5km Run for the Everlasting Cure, sponsored by the Arlington, VA Ecclesia, USA, which was held on Saturday, November 25, 2006, in Warrenton, VA.
More photos are posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/innov8iv/RaceForTheEverlastingCureArlington
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