thedrifter
10-31-08, 08:49 AM
Service members raise funds for Special Olympics
Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa (October 31, 2008) -- Five Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Bases Camp Butler, ran in the 24-hour jog-a-thon Oct. 21-22 in Marek Park here to raise donations for the Kadena Special Olympics.
Every mile the Marines ran earned them a donation from more than 40 sponsors, and every hour the Marines ran at least one mile.
"As Marines, we have to (physically train) anyway," said Pfc. Jodi Jarrett, a supply administration and operations specialist with H&S Bn. "Why not do it for a good cause?"
The Marines ran 141 miles total raising $837.65, according to Sgt. Kelly De La Hoz, the training non-commissioned officer of the Base supply office.
According to De La Hoz, Cpl. Diogo Delgado, a supply administration and operations specialist, ran 31 miles and Master Gunnery Sgt. Claude Maynard, the warehouse chief of H&S Bn., ran 27 miles at the jog-a-thon. Everyone else ran 24 miles.
"We're going to be engaged until we disengage, and when we disengage it's for good," Maynard said during the ninth hour of the jog-a-thon. "Until that point, the knees and back will hurt."
The $837.65 raised will go to support Kadena's 9th annual Special Olympics Nov. 8. There is expected to be more than 1200 special needs athletes participating.
Some of the athletes are American, but the majority are Okinawan, according to Matt Rossoni, the torch run coordinator of the Kadena Special Olympics.
"The (Special Olympics) reinforces and strengthens relationships throughout the island," said Air Force Maj. Colin Sewake, the assistant director of operations of the Kadena Special Olympics.
Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines were all represented at the jog-a-thon.
"It's led by Kadena, but really it's a joint effort," Sewake said.
The hundreds of volunteers that work with the Special Olympics at Kadena are also made up of all the different branches of service.
Those interested in volunteering and helping out with the Kadena Special Olympics can visit http://www.kadenaspecialolympics.com or contact the volunteer coordinator at ksookinawa@gimail.af.mil.
Ellie
Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa (October 31, 2008) -- Five Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Bases Camp Butler, ran in the 24-hour jog-a-thon Oct. 21-22 in Marek Park here to raise donations for the Kadena Special Olympics.
Every mile the Marines ran earned them a donation from more than 40 sponsors, and every hour the Marines ran at least one mile.
"As Marines, we have to (physically train) anyway," said Pfc. Jodi Jarrett, a supply administration and operations specialist with H&S Bn. "Why not do it for a good cause?"
The Marines ran 141 miles total raising $837.65, according to Sgt. Kelly De La Hoz, the training non-commissioned officer of the Base supply office.
According to De La Hoz, Cpl. Diogo Delgado, a supply administration and operations specialist, ran 31 miles and Master Gunnery Sgt. Claude Maynard, the warehouse chief of H&S Bn., ran 27 miles at the jog-a-thon. Everyone else ran 24 miles.
"We're going to be engaged until we disengage, and when we disengage it's for good," Maynard said during the ninth hour of the jog-a-thon. "Until that point, the knees and back will hurt."
The $837.65 raised will go to support Kadena's 9th annual Special Olympics Nov. 8. There is expected to be more than 1200 special needs athletes participating.
Some of the athletes are American, but the majority are Okinawan, according to Matt Rossoni, the torch run coordinator of the Kadena Special Olympics.
"The (Special Olympics) reinforces and strengthens relationships throughout the island," said Air Force Maj. Colin Sewake, the assistant director of operations of the Kadena Special Olympics.
Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines were all represented at the jog-a-thon.
"It's led by Kadena, but really it's a joint effort," Sewake said.
The hundreds of volunteers that work with the Special Olympics at Kadena are also made up of all the different branches of service.
Those interested in volunteering and helping out with the Kadena Special Olympics can visit http://www.kadenaspecialolympics.com or contact the volunteer coordinator at ksookinawa@gimail.af.mil.
Ellie