Above / Paul Felstrup joined Mike McGrath, Vice President of the VFW/National Home for Children Board of Trustees, for the 6th Annual Judd-A-Thon. So far, the first five .1K fun events for all ages, in costume or not, have produced $100,000 for the needs of children and military families. For the short run, that’s quite a bit of green. Organizers will have final tallies for the 2019 Judd-A-Thon soon.
Participants in the 6th Annual Judd-A-Thon, a short run that makes a big difference for the VFW National Home for Children, began with the Pledge of Alliance and the National Anthem in anticipation of a flyover by two members of the Lima, Lima Flight Team.
After the Lima Lima flyover, the 2019 Judd-A-Thon was off and running, walking and strolling in support of the special place for military families located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
Local youth set the pace for the fun run, walk and stroll along the .1K route mapped out in the parking area between the Judd Kendall VFW Post 6873 and the Naperville Riverwalk Grand Pavilion.
Judd-A-Thon participants took a little more than two minutes to complete the .1K route as photographer Jim Hoch and others followed with their cameras.
Within a few minutes of the start, Judd-A-Thon Committee members along the Riverwalk already were sending folks up to the backyard of the VFW Post where award presentations and other festivities were about to begin.
With assistance of VFW Past Commander Tom Parker, race organizer and VFW Commander Pablo Araya presented medals to the race winners as well as to youngest and oldest for best costumes. Araya expressed gratitude for all generous sponsorships, including Humana, Armanino and Naperville Freemasons, and spirited folks who participated in the grueling endurance test that was completed in less than two minutes and seven seconds.
Hats off to Ken Garhan! With Mayor Steve Chirico by his side, VFW Past Commander Tom Parker presented longtime VFW member Garhan with a medal that distinguished him as the oldest participant in the fun run.
Mike McGrath, Vice President of the VFW/National Home for Children Board of Trustees, again thanked Araya and everyone in attendance for their support.
Araya urged every participant to share news about the National Home for Children and to help attract sponsors for the 7th Annual Judd-A-Thon same time next year.
“Our Judd-A-Thon has become a great way to let others in the community know that we are about more than just sitting in the bar, doing fish fries, or walking in parades—not that there’s anything wrong with that stuff,” said Parker. “The event leader/chairman, Pablo Araya, continues to outdo himself every year for this tremendous fundraiser that benefits the kids/families in need.” (PN Photos)
All proceeds benefit VFW/National Home for Children
Every penny collected from Judd-A-Thon sponsors goes directly to the VFW National Home for Children, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, to assist the nation’s military and veteran families during difficult times.
Founded in 1925, the VFW National Home for Children serves as a place “where the families left behind by war — mothers and children, brothers and sisters — could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their serviceman didn’t come home.”
Mindful that today’s military families face different challenges, the services of the National Home continually have evolved to meet those changing needs.
As is tradition, a group from the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 will head to Michigan this fall for its annual visit at the National Home for Children.
For more info about the home, visit www.vfwnationalhome.org.
PN Gallery of Photos
