GEMS

COMMUNITY: GEMS Running for Help

by Kent Von der Vellen

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This year marks 33 years that Roy Heger has been sober and running.

Running helped Heger then and became a passion he still enjoys. Over the years, he became an ultra runner, someone who runs races of 20, 60 or 100 kilometers. A 100-kilometer race is 65-miles long. Heger also has run 100-mile races.

When Heger is not running, he volunteers at the Community Assessment and Treatment Services in Wadsworth and the Brooklyn Exchange Club in Hinckley.

In 2007, Heger wanted to help a friend’s daughter who was participating in a fundraiser. He decided to hold an ultra run at the end of October.

In preparation for the race, Heger placed books at key locations along the race route. Race participants were to cut a page from each book to turn in at the finish line.

Instead of an entry fee, Heger sold scissors to be used to cut out the pages and called the race Run with Scissors. It was a success, with many of the runners wearing Halloween costumes.

Though Run with Scissors had to be cancelled in 2020, Heger is planning its return in 2021.

Six years ago, Heger added a spring race called the Buzzard’s Day Race to coincide with Hinckley’s celebration of the annual arrival of buzzards.

Because of the unpredictability of March weather, runners need to come prepared for any type of weather. Heger said one year the 100k race was run on an indoor 5k course because snow and rain made it unsafe to run outside.

This year’s race will be held on March 16, the day after Hinckley’s Buzzard Day at Ledge Lake, 1151 Ledge Road, Hinckley.

Funds raised frome the Buzzard’s Day Race and the Run with Scissors Race are used throughout the year to support individuals and families in need through the nonprofit Run to Share.

Run to Share gives aid and acts as a referral service to connect people with local private organizations and government agencies that provide aid.

Among many others, Run to Share was able to help a family who was living in poor conditions move into a home by helping with the security deposit and first month’s rent; another person in need was provided with a mattress; a family was provided with a dinner table; another family was provided with needed appliances; and children were given beds.

More information on Run to Share is available at https://bit.ly/2ZpisHp and race information is available at https://bit.ly/3s3j9CM, or call 330-241-9928.

Editor’s note: Information is from the nonprofit’s most recent filings with the Ohio attorney general.

Run to Share

5109 Montville Trails Drive Medina, Oh. 44256 330-241-9928

Date of formation: 07/23/2015 Organization type: 501(c)(3) Description of Organization’s Purpose: Promote and hold sporting events and distribute profits to existing charities and those in need. The financial information below is from the organization’s most recent filing within the on-line system. If the items below are blank, the organization has not yet filed information on-line or they may be exempt from filing an annual report. Reporting Year: 2019 Reporting Start Date: 1/1/2019 Reporting End Date: 12/31/2019

Total Revenue: Total Expenses: Total Program Expenses: Percent of Total Expenses: Total Assets:

Kent Von Der Vellen is a 20-year Medina resident. He has been a volunteer for various youth sports teams, is a member of the Medina Lions Club, and, with his wife, Kim, founded the Jakob F. Von Der Vellen Memorial Foundation. Contact Von Der Vellen by e-mailing Gems@BlakeHousePublishing.com or by calling 330-421-0863. Learn what other area nonprofits need by visiting Giving Hearts at JoyofMedinaCountyMagazine.com.