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| May 05, 2024 |
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General News: Hundreds Join Fundraiser Run/Walk
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| Alayna Smith and Boby Flitch headed up the race organizing effort for Ryan Wenke (center). |
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| Bobby Flitch led the field of racers in the 5K. Photo by Karen Snider. |
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| The first race took place on the track. |
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| The registration table was run by volunteers. |
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| Student volunteers ran the bake sale. |
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| These students sold raffle tickets. |
October 18, 2010
The run/walk for Ryan Wenke, the high school senior who is fighting a second round against cancer, turned into a community celebration on Sunday. Under a brilliant blue sky on a “perfect” autumn afternoon, some 650 people came to run or walk two courses, one a mile long and one 5K.
Bobby Flitch, who along with Alayna Smith organized the event, said that the response from people in the community “completely exceeded my expectation… everyone was so supportive and generous.” They are still tallying the donations they received.
High School Students Organized the Race
Ryan’s battle with bone cancer touched a wide segment of the senior class. The Key Club, the cross country team, the National Honor Society, Drama Club and others volunteered their time to make the event a success. Some staffed a table laden with homemade cakes, brownies and cookies for sale while others oversaw a raffle table or sold t-shirts. The registration table for the race/walk was mobbed at 2 pm, the original start time for the race as people waited in a line that snaked back 200 feet or more.
Walkers began the first competition, a one-mile walk around the track. Members of the varsity football team could be seen in the crowded field, which included young children and senior citizens.
Runners and Walkers on the Cross Country Course
The 5K course was more challenging as it followed the cross country course through woods and fields, up and down hills and through the mud at times. Along the trail members of the cross country team cheered participants on and made sure they didn’t veer from the trail.
The runners took off first, followed by a large group of walkers, many of whom seemed more intent on talking with old friends and admiring the beautiful fall day than with how quickly they finished the race.
“Proud to be Part of Amazing Community”
When the walkers did return to the start about an hour after most began, Ryan Wenke could be found among the organizers, a scarf covering her head. She had just come home from a grueling week of chemotherapy treatments in the hospital, a regimen she will undertake every two weeks for the next two and a half months. Despite the treatments, she smiled to see all the people who had come to the benefit for her and she pulled out the winning raffle tickets for a few lucky people.
At the end of the day, Bobby Flitch, who could be seen on a megaphone earlier trying to put order to the large crowds milling around before the start of the race and who led the runners in the 5K competition, shared his thoughts about the significance of the event. “Everyone was so generous and supportive,” he said. “It speaks volumes about our community in not only the sheer number of people that came but also how enthusiastic and generous they all were. I’m so proud to be part of such an amazing community.”
Click here to see more photos from the race.
Comments:
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I cannot begin to express how proud I am of my daughter Alayna for organizing such an amazing event. Although she does not want any praise or thank yous she truly deserves them. I am so proud of her selflessness and compassion. Love you Lanie!
posted by Denise Smith on 10/18/10 at 4:57 PM
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We were very impressed with the wonderful job high school students did with this event. Cornwall is truly raising some truly wonderful citizens! What an amazing way to support Ryan!
posted by julie donato on 10/18/10 at 9:25 PM
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