Moving for a good cause
Runners take off from the starting line at the Mid-Del Group Home’s Run, Walk or Rolls for Independence Saturday morning at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park. Photo by Jeff Harrison
Mid-Del Group Home hosts annual Run, Walk or Roll
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Mid-Del Group Home hosted their annual Run, Walk or Roll for Independence Saturday at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park.
The event raised awareness and funds for the local non-profit organization, which provides services and care to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They operate a workshop and houses for residents.
A total of 120 people participated in the event that included a 5k or 1-mile fun run.
Participants took off from the starting line near Century Blvd. and SE 15th St. and made a loop through the park trail.
Del City High School JROTC students presented each participant with a medal as they crossed the finish line.
In the 5k race, Dustin Pierce was the top male runner and Chessie Walden was the top female placer. Allyssa Gardner won the 1-mile fun run.
The top placers from the Mid-Del Group Home were JJ Self, Tristan Kirk and Daniel Harris. Each received a karate belt from Century Martial Arts.
The event helps raise money and awareness for the Mid-Del Group Home, said executive director Joel Bain.
“This event makes more people aware of what Mid-Del Group Homes does and is huge for us,” he said. “Getting in the community and being able to give back and include more people in what we do. When it comes down to it, that’s how we raise more awareness of what we do.”
Proceeds from the event will be used to cover increased insurance costs for the Group Home. Bain said their insurance costs jumped by 26% or $18,000 over the last year.
Bain said they continue to raise money to build additional homes for residents. Mid-Del Group Home, like many facilities across the state, are at capacity due cuts in state funding decades ago.
“The only way to increase that is raise enough money from grants, and donations to build new homes for people with intellectual disabilities,” he said. “Now, how it works is if someone passes away then we have an opening.”
Bain said they have plans to build additional houses near one of their current facilities.
Winners received a karate belt from Century Martial Arts. Photo by Jeff Harrison
