News and Events

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Running For – And With – Children With Disabilities

Runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes who hit the pavement at Fort Story on Saturday, Oct. 4, were joined by some of the people they were racing for: children and young adults from St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children.

More than 300 athletes and volunteers took part in St. Mary's 20th Annual 5K, plus One-Mile Fun Run, which raised more than $16,000. All proceeds support the programs and services of St. Mary’s Home, which cares for Virginia children with severe disabilities.

St. Mary’s children, in jogger strollers, took part in the 5K for the first time this year. Team Hoyt VB – a local offshoot of a national father-and-son team that competes in athletic events – ran with some Mary’s residents plus children and adults with disabilities from the community.

 

William C. Giermak, CEO, and Sonja Barisic, marketing communications manager, appeared on "Norfolk Perspectives" in September 2008 to talk about St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children's 20th Annual 5K. The event was Oct. 4 at Fort Story in Virginia Beach. Proceeds benefit St. Mary's Home.

 

Also new to the 5K this year was a wheelchair division, started by Kelsie Kellen, a 13-year-old, internationally ranked wheelchair athlete from Fredericksburg, Va. Kelsie and her mother, Kelli, recently visited St. Mary’s Home and were impressed by the staff’s commitment to the children. “If I needed this level of care I would so want to live here,” Kelsie said. See Kelsie here.

Race winners received artwork created by St. Mary’s residents. The 20th Annual 5K also featured refreshments, musical entertainment by Dr. Bob and the Burning Desires and a drawing with prizes including concert tickets, a gift card to an athetic store, a cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk and museum passes.

 

Thanks to everyone who made the race a success, including our sponsors: