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The Army takes part in race and provides nourishment for participants.
A record-breaking 15,000 runners—including a team from The Salvation Army—took part in the Sandy Hook Run for the Families on March 23 in Downtown Hartford, Conn., making it the largest inaugural run in the state. An additional 30,000 spectators gathered in the city to cheer on the runners.
The Army’s team included Major Eunice Champlin, director of women’s ministries for the Southern New England Division; Lisa Cretella, director of development; and Rachael Bubbs, donor relations assistant.
“Much like 9/11, everyone remembers where they were on Dec. 14,” Cretella said. “It was a moment when the world seemed to stop in unison. Being a church, The Salvation Army’s officers and employees stopped to pray for those whose lives were taken, the survivors, the families, and the Newtown community. Our prayers and offers of support have continued since that day.”
Planning for the 3.1-mile run began when two women from Naugatuck called Hartford Marathon Executive Director Beth Shluger and asked if they could get some help in staging a race to benefit the families of the Newtown shooting. The location was changed from Western Connecticut State University, to Danbury, and finally to Hartford, to accommodate the record crowd of runners.
“Being a runner, participating in the race personally was a given,” Cretella said. “However, as many of my coworkers frequently ask what we can do in support of the Newtown community, participating on a larger scale was a great way to express our care and concern. While serving water or running is such a small gesture, it’s another way of showing the residents of Newtown that The Salvation Army cares.”
Before the race began, Shluger presented a check for more than $420,000—a combination of entry fees and donations—to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund administered by the United Way of Western Connecticut. Just over 16 minutes later, the first runners crossed the finish line.
Stephen Pretak and Scott Mindel of New London, Conn., were the official race winners.
