Success! "RUN TO REMEMBER" to KEEP KIDS ALIVE!

First off, a quick link to the Miami Herald which featured KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^®. See Back-to-school traffic safety: It's no accident

THE “RUN TO REMEMBER”

WAS INDEED A RUN TO REMEMBER!

Success! My sons, Michael and Matthew, and my brothers, Shawn and Mike, along with yours truly finished the "Run to Remember" as part of the Pike's Peak Ascent Trail Race before it finished us!

It is a special privilege each year for our family members to run in memory of those who have died in traffic incidents. Over the years, many of these families have connected with the mission of KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^®. They are an inspiration to us, as are their loved ones we run to remember. You can view the list of all we ran to remember at "Run to Remember".

What follows is a short photo-essay of our journey up Pike’s Peak, America’s Mountain.

The day before the run on the top of Pike’s Peak posing in our running shirts beside the plaque bearing the words of “America the Beautiful,” written by Kathryn Lee Bates from atop the mountain in 1893.

Peering down from the summit of Pike’s Peak displaying the names of all those we run to remember. (If enough people are interested in having their own “Run to Remember” t-shirt, we can check into a limited run of 36 or more shirts. Let me know if you are interested and I will check the cost involved.)

At the starting line the morning of the Ascent – From L to R: Matthew, Michael, Tom, Shawn, and Mike

Mike Everson of Colorado Springs was the first to finish. He required a bit of medical attention, and thus was not able to photograph all of us as we finished. (He is fine, and would run again tomorrow.)

However, Mike’s good friend, John Garner, captured Michael (age 20 from Omaha) just before the finish line. Michael had a most enjoyable trip up the mountain as evidenced by the fact that he lost his shirt somewhere along the way.

Matthew (Omaha) ambled in a few minutes behind his brother.

Shawn and yours truly lagged behind, and thus were not captured on film crossing the line. But the finisher’s shirts attest to the fact that we did indeed finish.

It is with deep gratitude that we give thanks for the opportunity to run to remember so many wonderful sons, daughters, spouses, brothers, sisters, and parents. The encouragement of all truly made the difference in seeing us through to the summit.

We are grateful, too, for all the donors who supported the run and helped to underwrite the cost of t-shirts for family members of those we ran to remember. These families wore their shirts in solidarity with us on the 21^st. Jan Anstett of Redford, Michigan sent this photo. Her daughter, Erika, was one of the loved ones we ran to remember.

$1,225.00 has been raised toward our goal of $5,000.00. Thus, we have not been able to cover all the expenses attached to the “Run to Remember.” However, if you are in a position to donate, we welcome continued donations at "Run to Remember"

Or, checks can be sent to”

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

12418 C Street

Omaha, NE 68144

Please remember, your generous giving keeps kids living.

We’ll “Run to Remember” in 2011 as well. Already two additional family members are interested in joining us for the race up the Peak. If you are interested in being a part of our team, please send me an e-mail or call 402-334-1391. We would welcome your participation. To learn more about what you would be getting yourself in to, visit Pike's Peak Ascent

Have a great beginning of the school year, and remember,

“Don’t let the 2 minutes you ‘save’ be the last 2 minutes of someone’s life.” David Townsend – Tia’s dad (We will "Run to Remember" Tia)

In safety,

Tom Everson
Tom Everson
KEEP KIDS ALIVE DRIVE 25^® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
kkad25@kkad25.org
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Become a monthly supporter at KKAD25 Membership