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Run for It virtual event raises $258K

PARSONS — The 15th annual Run For It event distributed more than $258,000 to local charities — despite this year’s event being taking place virtually online.

More than 1,065 people participated in this year’s event, presented by the Tucker Community Foundation, representing 81 community causes.

The more than $258,000 will be distributed to local charities throughout the foundation’s region, which includes Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties in West Virginia, and Garrett County in Maryland.

“This year we had 81 organizations who registered as teams for this fantastic event,” Jeff Fellers, development director for Run For It, said. “Rather than groups asking for money for support, these groups engage with the communities and ask other people to walk, run and fundraise for their causes.”

Mike Moore, executive director of the Tucker Community Foundation, credited the many volunteers, along with team captains, for the success of the event.

“I have to give the team captains credit for rallying so much support for their organizations,” Moore said. “They work hard raising money for team sponsorships which they can leverage to get award money.

“We also have David Cooper, Rachelle Davis, Chris Boyce, Anne Wardell, Skyler Roberts and Kelly Stadelman on our Run For It committee who freely give up their time to help with the event. We couldn’t do it without them and all their hard work.”

David Cooper, president of the Board of Directors for the Tucker Community Foundation, hosted and awarded money to the winning teams during a zoom virtual awards ceremony. Also helping was Bob Boone of the McDonough Foundation, who distributed $25,000 to the charities. Mineral County Commissioner Richard Lechliter distributed $1,000 to the Mineral County teams.

Top awards included Best Team Effort. First place went to YouthBuild North Central WV, second place to Challenged Athletes of WV, third place to WV Caring, fourth place to Appalachian Expeditions, fifth place to Garrett Mentors, sixth place to Freedom Marchers, seventh place to Philippi Public Library Bookworms, eighth place to Elkins Bookhounds, ninth place to Barbour County Team Health, and 10th place to Randolph Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center.

For most money raised, first place went to Garrett Mentors, second place to Challenged Athletes of WV, third place to St. George Academy Preservation, fourth place to YouthBuild North Central WV, fifth place to West Virginia Caring, and sixth place to Travis Phillip Moreland Foundation.

New this year was a team photo/collage award category, which led to many submission. Awards for this category included first place to Randolph County Climb, Inc., second place to Challenged Athletes of WV, third place to St. George Academy Preservation, fourth place to Running for Rotary, fifth place to Elkins Bookhounds, sixth place to New Vision, and seventh place to Garrett Mentors.

Moore said the team award totals will be tallied and distributed to teams by mid-November. For a complete list of the awards, distribution and a video of the virtual awards ceremony results, visit www.tuckerfoundation.net/race-results/

Major Run For It sponsors include: St. George Medical Clinic, Mettiki Coal WV, Citizens Bank of WV, Grant County Bank, Cortland Acres, Tucker County Commission, Pocahontas County Commission, Randolph County Commission, Barbour County Commission, Preston County Commission, Grant County Commission, Garrett County Commission, Mineral County Commission, Mike Ross, Inc., PCM Industries, Davis Health System, Best of Canaan, State Farm-Bob Gutshall, GJ Garton Insurance, Preston-Taylor Health Services, Hinkle-Fenner Funeral Home, Edward Jones Investment-Chris Fry, Davis Dental, Miners & Merchants, Canaan Valley Lawn & Landscape, Mountaintop Realty, Boyce Household, Landis Realty, White Grass, Fargo Insurance Group, Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, Hinchcliff, Hanlon Household and Vernon Household.

Since its launch in 2007, Run For It proceeds have surpassed $2.5 million being distributed to charities throughout the Foundation’s service area.

The 16th annual Run for It event is set for Sept. 24, 2022.

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