Run for Rebecca Ann was a success

Published 6:11 pm Wednesday, June 16, 2004

By Staff
I would like to thank everyone involved in the recent "Run For Rebecca Ann" fundraiser. We raised $25,000 for Thad, Leigh, and Rebecca Ann (RA) to help defray their recent medical expenses. It was a very successful community effort that exemplifies what can happen when we all pull together for a good cause.
Many thanks goes to all the personnel at Bank Trust who housed the account, kept track of the donations, and provided moral support for the run. A big thanks to Will and Mollie Ruzik and the Tomato Cafe for hosting the finishing reception and providing personal support along the way. I would also like to thank Paula Gerety for her t-shirt and button design and all her wonderful organizational skills in putting this together. Thanks goes to the Brewton Standard and Mobile Press for raising an awareness concerning RA's disease and their constant coverage during our fundraising efforts.
Additional thanks goes to Dr. Susan McBride and the staff at JDCC for supplying the route and personal support, Peach Motors, for providing "93.3 The Pig," who promoted our cause and did a live remote from the reception, "A Den of Thieves" for providing the entertainment at the reception, Mark Manning, for providing the grill to cook the bar-b-que, local civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis) and the local trusts/businesses for their donations, and especially my running support group (Margaret Ann Smith, Wendy and Dan Bass, Carolyn Hart, Paula Gerety, Dave Rush, and my wonderful wife Stacey). Without them, the journey would not have been fulfilled.
The biggest "THANKS" goes to all who donated through t-shirt and button sales, sponsorship per mile, or offered a flat donation. It feels really good because we did a great thing to help out a needy family in our community. We are lucky to have such a caring community.
Although Rebecca Ann still has a way to go before she is out of the woods, rest assured your donations will help expedite her healing process.
Bill Thallemer