More than 290 Participate in Run in the Sun
MHP ‘Run in the Sun’ 2013 (photo by Ginger Allsup/Oskaloosa News)
MAHASKA COUNTY – Saturday, Aug. 3 was a beautiful day to participate in the 3rd Annual “Run in the Sun” and help raise money for the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House.
According to MHP Marketing and Development Director Cathy Stahl, more than 20 people participated in the race, held this year at the Stadium at the Lacey Recreation Complex. “Thanks to the Run in the Sun Committee members, we had 22 Corporate and Major Sponsors, which helped raise more than $7,200. We are waiting for some bills before we will have a final amount raised, but we are very pleased with how it is looking.”
MHP CEO Jay Christensen talked about the Hospice Serenity House and what an important resource it is in the community. “I believe we have the best hospice staff in the region, and they truly make healthcare personal for our hospice patients and their families.”
Christensen said that this year, the Run in the Sun Committee asked the family of a hospice patient to write about their experience in the house. “TJ Goemaat was only 10 years old when he passed away, but his impact on our staff and this entire community is still felt today,” Christensen said. “Today, Aug. 3, would have been TJ’s 12th Birthday. Many of TJ’s family are here to celebrate his life.”
Tami Goemaat of New Sharon talked about her family’s experience at the MHP Hospice Serenity House. “Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough when I think about all the things the staff, volunteers and others did for our son and our family,” Goemaat said. “We will always cherish our time we spent there and will forever be grateful to all of those who loved and cared for our son but also our entire family.
“This house and all the people in it will always have a special place in our hearts. So, I guess you could say this house is more than just a beautiful facility for those preparing to leave this world – it is a place where everyone is cared for, loved and treated like family – it’s a place so many call home.”
Lime-green balloons, TJ’s favorite color, were then released in memory of all Hospice patients. Christensen said the feeling people have at viewing the balloons float away says it all.
Adam Sievers of Pella was the Overall Male winner of the 5K, with a time of 18:24. Nicole Schnebbe of Oskaloosa was the Overall Female winner, with a time of 19.38.5. Race results for both the 5K and the 1 Mile can be found on MHP’s website at mahaskahealth.org.
“We’ve heard very positive feedback regarding our new location at the stadium,” Stahl said. “Special thanks must go to Kandis DeBruin and Chad Rietveld from the Mahaska County Recreation Foundation for all of their assistance.”
2013 Corporate Sponsors include: Oskaloosa News; Mahaska Bottling; State Farm Insurance, Kelli Steil, Agent; TD & T Financial; Garland- Van Arkel- Langkamp Funeral Chapel; Hammer Medical Supply; Mahaska Drug; Clow Valve Company; Town Crier Advertising and Printing; Sodexo; The Oskaloosa Herald; William Penn University; Baird Holm, Attorneys at Law; and T. Mina Supply, Inc.
2013 Major Sponsors include: Garden and Associates, LTD; Casey’s General Store; Champion Signs; MidwestOne Bank; TruBank; Lifetime Dental Solutions; Bluestone Engineering; and LMC Insurance and Risk Management.
2013 Partner and Community Sponsors include: Oskaloosa Subway; Robert Auld Investments; Shankster Masonry; Klyn Tire Service, Inc.; Wells Construction Company; Pella Rollscreen Foundation; Hawkeye Real Estate; Oskaloosa Vision Center; Ziegler, Inc.; and Supplemental Insurance Services, Inc.
For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, call 641.672.3240 or visit www.mahaskahealth.org.
You can purchase photos from ‘Run in the Sun’ with all proceed going to MHP Hospice Serenity House.
Click HERE to view and purchase photos.
