CCDS joins Rock N Roll marathon as an official charity and raises over $10,000!
On November 5, 2011, Team Me*Power raced in support of CCDS Programs and Services for the inaugural Rock N Roll marathon in Savannah, GA. Each racer was challenged with raising $500 in tax-deductible donations for CCDS and most racers reached this goal and two racers raised over $1,000 apiece. CCDS would like to thank and congratulate all the racers for their great efforts. We would also like to thank our corporate sponsors, DIRTT Environmental Solutions, United Community Bank and SK Accounting for their generous support to help defray team costs.
Race Day Event | Corporate Sponsorship | Who does this Benefit?
Race Day Event
It was Saturday, November 5th at 7:30 in the morning and the Rock N Roll marathon was on! The Team was a diversified group and mostly hailed from Savannah proper, however, two racers joined from Atlanta and one from Jacksonville. Coastal Center’s own Jamesetta Middleton held out strong to represent all the individuals we serve. The racers ranged in age from 24 to 46 and represented groups like Armstrong University, the Customs House, SCAD, Gulfstream Aerospace, and several from DIRTT Environmental Solutions. Coastal Center staff on the team included: Lauri Dworzak, Annette Harmon, Consuelo Keller (also the walking coach), Jamesetta Middleton, Sarah Sires and Michele Wagner.
Each racer was not only tasked to train every week for the ½ marathon for the last 12-14 weeks but they also pledged to raise $500 in donations for CCDS. Many of the racers on TEAM Me*Power, met this goal and some surpassed this goal.
CCDS is very grateful to our corporate sponsors, DIRTT Environmental Solutions came in with a $1,000 sponsorship at the silver level and United Community Bank and SK Accounting each donated $500 at the bronze level! That is nearly a fifth of the total money raised. THANK YOU to our corporate sponsors.
Our fastest runners on TEAM Me*Power were Johnny Moran and Mary Sprague who came in with close times at 1:50:45 and 1:54:12 respectively. Our fastest walker, Consuelo Keller came in with a time of 3:07:21. All the Me*Power racers were completing the half marathon. At the end of the race the runners and walkers were rewarded with a medal and thermal blanket. They then wandered over to the CCDS Victory Tent to exchange congratulations and rehydrate with water, Gatorade and some even had a beer to celebrate! We asked one of the racers, Katelyn Doyle from New York Life, how she felt about joining the Me*Power Team and running the half over all. She responded, “The decision to join Team Me*Power was easy for me. I have a sister with developmental disabilities and I was willing to do anything to support these special individuals. Little did I know how much pain I would be in after running 13.1 miles but all of the training and hard work was well worth it. The many supporters and volunteers at the Rock N Roll marathon were great! Their cheers and signs kept me motivated to keep pushing for the finish line. Especially at mile 10 with the CCDS sponsored water station. Once I reached mile 12 I felt a burst of energy and I sprinted the 13th mile. Overall, finishing the race was a personal accomplishment for me that benefited a great cause which I will never forget. I guess it’s time to start training for the full marathon next year!”
I think that sums it up! CCDS already has eye for joining the Rock N Roll marathon next year but with a bigger TEAM and a higher fundraising goal! Go TEAM Me*Power! Thank you again to all the racers who worked so hard to achieve their goal of completing a half marathon while raising funds for the critical programs and services CCDS provides.
Corporate Sponsorships
Thank you to our corporate sponsors that supported Team Me*Power in the inaugural Rock N Roll marathon in Savannah, GA. Corporate sponsorship was critical to our fundraising goals and helped defray costs for the running coach, race day shirts and the victory tent at the end for the racers to celebrate. Team Me*Power was sponsored by DIRTT Environmental Solutions, United Community Bank and SK Accounting.
Who does this Benefit?
The funds raised by participating in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon benefited the more than 330 adults we serve with developmental disabilities. CCDS provides the most comprehensive services in southeast Georgia for individuals seeking day services, supported employment and community employment services.
CCDS funding has been cut over the past few years but we insist on providing the same level of services to the people we serve regardless of state funding. This is why CCDS began its fundraising efforts and has turned to the general public and local businesses to help support our critical programs. With fully-funded programs encouraging and supporting the independence of our area adults with disabilities, the whole community benefits.
