First Miles for Medals Walk takes off at the Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls

October 3rd 2004 was no ordinary day at the Chiropractic College. Sixty Eight walkers from school groups, service clubs, 4H groups and sports teams took to the grounds of the Chiropractic College to join in the First Miles for Medals Walk in the Genesee Region. Miles for Medals, is a walkathon to benefit Special Olympics Genesee Region. Registration kicked off at the Athletic Center of the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls at 8:30 am. After a welcome by Regional Director, David McEneany, athlete Adolph Dupree from Lifetime Assistance led the group in singing the National Anthem. The pre-walk morning stretch was led by athlete, Andy Marshall. Walkers were led on their route by Dr. Dick Mellini’s Motorcycle Group. Participants from Trinity Episcopal Church, Geneva Middle School Kiwanis Builders Club, Waterloo Middle School Chorus, 4H Friends and Adventure Kids, 3 Generations and the Ya Ya’s enjoyed the fun morning of exercise and the chance to raise funds by completing the scenic 5K course.Every Miles for Medals participant who turned in $100 on walk day received a Miles for Medals T-shirt. An incentive for teams was the 50/50 split with any non-profit Teams. If a Team raised $900, the first $100 went to Special Olympics Genesee Region and the remaining $800 was split 50/50 with $400 going back to the Little League team. Prizes for the top fundraisers included digital cameras, picnic baskets, tote bags, baseball caps and more! Top Team Prize winners were members of the Trinity Episcopal Church who brought in $1571. Top Individual fundraiser was Kitty Peterson who raised $148. THE BEST PRIZE WAS KNOWING THAT THE WALK HELPED SUPPORT A SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE!Miles for Medals was much more than a fund-raiser, it’s a way to celebrate what Special Olympics is all about. Grassroots events like Miles for Medals are crucial to the success of Special Olympics Genesee Region, which provides sports training and competition opportunities for over 3,200 Special Olympics athletes in Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Yates, Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties. Athletes and families are not charged to participate in Special Olympics Sports. Every dollar raised by Miles for Medals supports the year round sports program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities including mental retardation.Miles for Medals walkers turned in $4639 with $3541 raised by Team Walkers and $1198 raised by Individual Walkers, Event Coordinator, Alberta Bennett was pleased with the first year effort. Committee members who helped organize the walk were Kitty Peterson, Eileen Dyson, Dick Mellini, and Kristen Schell. In addition to the New York Chiropractic College support sponsors were Cayuga Links, Duprey Productions, ITT Goulds Local Union #3298, North Seneca Ambulance, P&C Foods, Red Jacket Orchards and Tops Friendly Foods.. Bennett, Associate Development Director for the Genesee Region looks forward to next year’s Fall event at the Chiropractic College and a growing number of team walkers.Special Olympics athletes who participated in the Miles for Medals walk returned to Seneca Falls, the weekend of October 8-9 for the Special Olympics New York Fall Games. 1,000 Special Olympics athletes from New York State competed in Bocce, Cross Country , Cycling, Equestrian, Golf Roller Skating, Soccer and Softball.