Monday, February 24, 2014

Inaugural “Heart & Sole” 5K Raises Over $14,000 for State of the Heart Hospice

Pictured at the 5K reading a poem written by
her brother is Kris Olsen, and her niece Latisa Richards.
Bright sunny skies and crisp temperatures did not damper the spirits and enthusiasm of 212 runners who participated Saturday, February 15 in State of the Heart Hospice’s inaugural “Heart & Sole” 5k held at Rossburg Acres, just outside Rossburg. A total of $14,352 was raised by the local nonprofit agency which cares for patients and families in eastern Indiana and western Ohio who are confronting a life limiting illness.

“The response for our first ever 5K was great,” stated Christy Baker, Development Specialist for State of the Heart and event coordinator. “Everyone seemed so enthusiastic and supportive from the runners to our sponsors. The important thing is that we had a lot of fun, enjoyed a beautiful day and raised money to support our Hospice Care Center.”

The winners in the race, which included many who walked, are: Overall Females, first place, Kristin Heitkamp with a time of 21:37; second place, Crystal Barton, 21:44; and third place, Rebecca Diller, 22:44. Overall Males, first place, Dylan Avore with a time of 19:19; second place, Jay Prichard, 19:38; and Fred Schmiedebusch, 19:45.

For Fort Recovery native and avid runner Kris Olsen, the race had a special meaning to her as State of the Heart had cared for her father in 2010 and her brother in 2009. At the conclusion of the race, she read a poem her brother had written before his passing. The emotional reading included several comments from her brother: “On Hospice care you can always depend. They are more than professional: Hospice is your friend. Hospice has an open heart and listening ears. For your whole being, Hospice really cares. They are truly a God-send indeed.”

Olsen said she felt a “sense of pride” when she ran, thinking of the care her father and brother had from their State of the Heart Hospice caregivers. “It was nice to participate as it meant a lot to our family,” she said.


“An important part of any fund raising event is the support of sponsors,” said Ryan Gathard, Fund Development Director for State of the Heart. “We were fortunate to have wonderful supportive sponsors.” The presenting sponsor for the 5K was Preferred Insurance Center of Coldwater.

Other sponsors included: Silver sponsor, The Messenger Press; Bronze, Versailles Health Care Center; Major, May Financial Group; Event, Leis Realty Co, Eric Brown Realty; Corporate sponsor, Second National Bank, Medline; Cupid sponsor, Century Link; Heart sponsors, Village Green Healthcare Center, Brethren Retirement Community, Wayne HealthCare, Briarwood Village, Celina Manor, Greenville National Bank, and VonLehman CPA & Advisory Firm. Friend sponsors were: Zechar Bailey Funeral Homes, MJS Plastics Inc., Rest Haven, ProCare HospiceCare, the Gardens at Celina, the Gardens at St. Henry, Greenville Technology Incorporated, Kaup Pharmacy, and the Peoples Bank Co. Supporting sponsors were: Spirit Medical Transport, Medicine & More, and SecurCom. Patron sponsors were: Wabash Communications, Mercer Health, Cox Insurance and Dave Knapp Ford. Area Sponsor was Johnston Chiropractic.

At the conclusion of the race, a large number of door prizes were awarded by Baker. The 5K door prizes included: Salted Caramel Mocha from A & B Coffee & Cake Co.; gift card to Pamela’s Intimates; gift certificate to Younique’s Boutique; two gift certificates to Double M Diner; one month membership to Innergy Fitness; ElementsLife Yoga Gift Certificate; 18” pizza from Creekside in Versailles; four gift certificates from the Coffee Pot; Runner’s Gift Basket from Melaleuca, Stephanie Lind; four free burritos from Hot Head Burritos; ten Greenwave Car Wash Gift Certificates; free entry to the 5K for the Dog Park; Road ID Gift Certificates; gift certificate to Brenda’s Beanery; four Drop In coupons for ElementsLife Yoga Studio; three BioMat coupons for ElementLife Yoga Studio; gift certificate from Bread of Life Christian Book Store; two one-month memberships from Innergy Fitness; gift certificate from Maid-Rite; gift certificate from the Fairlawn; two gift certificates from Hot Rods & Harleys; Two month membership from Snap Fitness; and, a gift certificate from Knap’s.

“We had runners who live outside our service area participating,” Baker said, “as well as many local runners and walkers. Based on the great support from the running community and our local sponsors and folks who donated gift certificates, I am looking forward to our second annual “Heart & Sole” 5K.”

State of the Heart Hospice is a nonprofit agency that has cared for patients and families for 33 years. Last summer, the agency opened the Hospice Care Center on the fourth floor at Wayne HealthCare in Greenville. State of the Heart has offices in Greenville, Coldwater and Portland. Patients from throughout the service area can be cared for in the care center.

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