SHIPPENVILLE – More than 100 participants and volunteers came together Saturday, April 16, at the Clarion County Park to walk or run for a great cause.
The “Be A Hero For A Hero” 5K race was organized by the Clarion County Youth Council to raise money for the Clarion Sunshine Project. The race was sponsored by 12 businesses across the county, including a title sponsor, Swartfager Welding of Knox. The 84 finishers enjoyed sunny weather and awards were presented to the top three male and female finishers.
The Clarion Sunshine Project, a non-profit that helps cancer patients in need with out-of-pocket expenses, was co-founded by Tiffany Chambers, Tracy Meyers and Colby Hunsberger, who noticed and wanted to help ease the financial burden on their patients, in addition to their diagnoses.
Following the race, an awards ceremony took place to recognize the top three male and female overall finishers: Roxanne McFarland (19:49.20), Jordan Pezzuti (23:05.50), Rich Lane (23:31.10), Aaron Lencer (24:00.40), Marie Rhoades (24:08.20) and Karen Carmichael (25:43.70). The top male and female finishers received a wooden plaque made by Clarion-Limestone School District shop students. All of the top finishers received a printed certificate and a Clarion County Youth Council bag of goodies.
Additionally, a “Night in Foxburg” gift basket raffle was drawn that morning, with Craig Silvis’s name being pulled as the winner.
The race itself raised a total of $1,768, with an additional $232 raised through the raffle. The race and raffle were well received, and those participating have stated that they are looking forward to the possibility of another race next year.
The “Be A Hero For A Hero” 5K event was the collaborative effort of Clarion County Youth Council students and agency partners, who helped plan, find sponsors and volunteered for the event.
The Clarion County Youth Council, which includes all seven county school districts, is a youth leadership program designed to give students, who may not already be involved in other clubs, the tools they need to be positive leaders and have a voice in their school, community and county. The council is backed by several county agencies including: Clarion County’s Promise; Armstrong, Indiana, Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commissions; Community Action; Clarion County Office of Emergency Services; Center for Community Resources; SAFE; and PASSAGES. This program is a product of the Clarion County Family Net Collaborative board to fill the gap of giving youth a voice in our county.
In addition to the title “Super Hero” sponsor, Swartfager Welding, other sponsors of this event were our “Hero Trainee” sponsors: Samuel Johnson of 4C LTD Christian Counseling, Coaching & Consulting of Knox; Union High School Student Council; Clarion Psychiatric Center of Clarion; Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation of Sharon; Matt’s Beer Barn of Lucinda; and the Clarion Area School District students involved with Clarion County Youth Council. “Friends of Heroes” sponsors included: Computer Guru of Leeper; Griebel’s Dairy Farm of Lucinda; Jeff Himes, Prothonotary, of Clarion; Rimersburg Elementary Trailblazer Running Club; and Bloom Town Flowers of Rimersburg.
Several business donated items and gift cards for both the race and the raffle gift basket, including: Emlenton IGA, Bob’s Place of Parker, and Sharp Shopper of Knox. For our adult raffle, items were donated by The Foxburg Inn, Foxburg Pizza & Country Store, Foxburg Wine Cellars and Clarion County’s Promise.
The Clarion County Youth Council is a county-wide student leadership program open to selected students in grades 8-12 in all seven county school districts. For more information about the youth council, the race or the raffle tickets, contact Amanda Cserr of Clarion County’s Promise at 814-223-1590.