Thank you everyone who was able to join us for the AMAZING evening with Michael Wardian at the Capital Striders Annual dinner. We had 88 attend which was fantastic considering we had a winter storm blow through just hours before the program started. We were all very pleased and relieved when Michael’s plane arrived in Des Moines on time especially since he had to come all the way from DC and had a layover in Chicago. A big thank you to Chelsea Ochylski, Annual Giving Coordinator at Make-A-Wish Iowa who shared with the group the mission of Make-A-Wish is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. She also noted that Tour De Lights raised $20,274.68 and that Jolly Holiday Lights numbers are still preliminary, but they are on track to make close to $300,000.
Thank you Erica Peterson for telling us about the financial support and impact to the students from the donations of hats, cots, mittens, boots, and scarves gathered from our Capital Strider Mitten Run. Erika noted that this year’s contributions clothed 82 children in winter wear and that they are grateful for the difference you are making in the lives of these youth. Thank you Cindy Elsbernd for telling us about the Mission behind Iowa Kidstrong is to promote healthy, active lifestyles among youth. Thank you also to Paxton Bennett who shared some of his personal experience with See-Us Run Des Moines. SRDM is an innovative intervention program that challenges teens to train for and complete a marathon. Paxton has served as a Running Mentor ever since the program was launched in April 2010.
Thank Living History Farms for being so generous. Thank you Steve and Nancy Bobenhouse for sharing and for being terrific sponsors. Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors, many of which donated fantastic door prizes. Thank you to our new in 2013 Bronze Level Sponsors O’Mally’s and Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers.
Thank you to our Golden Shoe – Sponsor of the Year recipient, Work Systems Rehab and Fitness. Thank you to Amber Crews and Roy Ney who have worked their tails off to support the Capital Striders. A huge Thank you our many, many, wonderful volunteers who help us throughout the year.
Thank you The Running Room for donating jackets to the Marriott for donating 1-night weekend stay with brunch included as additional door prizes. Also thanks to the all the Board of Directors as well as the Banquet Planning Committee; Brad Dains, Mike McGinn, Ellen Wade, Jeff Gray, Curtis Downs & Bobbi Snodgrass for another successful event.
Thank you Lance Bergeson and the Des Moines Register for providing the following summaries in the Mile Posts Running/Triathlons Blog. Article 1 l Article 2