Letter to the Editor

Rotary offers thanks for support

Monday, May 28, 2012

To the Editor:

The Rotary Club of Brazil would like to thank every business, organization and individual who helped with the second Subway/Rotary Club of Brazil's Healthy Kids 1-mile Fun Run May 19, at Forest Park.

The program was for children ages 5-12. Families were encouraged to participate with their children. The eight practices each had a guest speaker to help inform the children about a safe, healthy way to stay fit by walking or running.

Eighty-five children signed up and attended at least one practice for the Fun Run. Sixty-two children ran/walked the race. Families also ran together. There was live music to keep everyone motivated. And at the end of the race, each child received a T-shirt, medallion, Governor's Fitness Award, a banana, bottle of water and a Subway sandwich.

This was all free to the children.

Thank you goes to the main sponsors -- Rotary Club of Brazil, Subway Restaurant of Brazil and owner Mike Bates and Riddell National Bank. Also to Kroger and First Christian Church Bible Club.

Thank you to all of the speakers: Brazil Police Chief Clint McQueen, Brazil City Human Resources Director Mary Jo Archer, CPA Renee Stewart of Miller and Stewart, Dr. Miranda Goodale of Clay County Podiatry, Northview Marching Knights director Bob Medworth, Terry Chamberlain of the YMCA of Clay County, Dr. Curt Oehler of Providence Medical Group and David Ragland, assistant basketball coach for ISU men's basketball team.

Thank you to the City of Brazil and Mayor Brian Wyndham, the Parks Board and Parks Superintendent Bill Houck. Thank you to the Brazil City Police Department Chief McQueen, Captain Dennis Archer, Sgt. Dave Archer, Sgt. Todd Stemm, Det. Johnnie Bohnerrt, Officer Jeremy Mace, Officer Elliott Mullinix, Officer Robert Van Buren, Officer Alisha Lord, Officer Graig Bass, Officer Ray Walters, Reserve Officer Todd Brackman and Reserve Officer Kade Baker.

Thanks to the Brazil City Fire Department Chief Jake Bennett, Captain Roy Keller, Captain Chris Moon, firefighter Stoney Fisher and firefighter Raymond Staub.

Thank you to the Clay County Sheriff's Department and Dep. Andrew Marshall. Also to TransCare Ambulance EMS Director Nick Montelauro, EMT Charles Hess and Medic Mathew Lacy. Thank you to The Brazil Times for all of their coverage.

Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and energy to help the children of Clay County have fun and stay fit. Thanks to Denzil Adams, Mary Jo Alumbaugh, Brian Bemis, Jill Bennett, Buz Burgess, Sam Crawn, Richard Dierdorf, Jeff Etling, Ruthann Jeffries, Arletta Kellar, Roy Kellar, Rita Marlow, David McCullom, Nick McCullom, Kaylee McCullom, Steve Messmer, Kathy Modesitt, Walter Moore, Marie Moore, Bob Pell, Chris Rodgers, Michelle Rodgers, Cara Rush, Marci Rush, Mary Lee Steuerwald, Corrina Stewart, Paige Stewart, Hannah Stewart, Susan Thomas and Carey Yocom.

And thanks to the Voice of Truth band, members Ryan Brackman, Shane Lunsford and Micah Harris.

If anyone was left out, we sincerely apologize. Your help was appreciated and needed very much.

This was truly a community effort. It could not have been accomplished without the help of all these people.

A special thanks to all the children who participated and made this a fun day for everyone involved.

Duane Butt, President, Rotary Club of Brazil,

Linda Messmer, Subway/Rotary Fun Run Coordinator