Drumstick Dash Report
(Letter of Appreciation for 2006 Drumstick Dash)
On Wednesday night the cold rain was steadily falling when
we went to bed. At 5:00AM the next morning, we rushed to
the window and looked out to see the--Yes!--the rain had
stopped and it looked as if the sun was going to shine!
Our first Thanksgiving Day prayer had been answered!
In the hours that followed, our sense of gratitude
continued to grow. At 6AM we saw volunteers serving
breakfast in the Mission dining room, while the first FNB
Drumstick Dash Street Crew went out to set up stages, sound
systems, signs and traffic cones all along the route.
Soon the registration volunteers arrived, as did the street
marshals and others involved with pre-race setup.
Would people come out to support this new event?
We had over 1,200 people registered on Wednesday night, but
300 more racers, walkers and dogs arrived to support the
FNB Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving Day. Our final count of
1,505 participants and 208 volunteers totaled 1,713 people
and dogs, making the FNB Drumstick Dash the largest race
ever held in the City of Roanoke .
Our
second Thanksgiving Day prayer was answered.
Musicians and the Food Crew took their places. The FNB
Drumstick Dash Turkey was at the starting line. Looking
down to the street from the top of the parking garage we
saw a multitude of men, women, children and a large
delegation of dogs wearing Dash Sweatshirts with a turkey
on the front and a list of sponsors on the back.
The air gun sounded, the bagpipes played and the race/walk
began with the sea of people and canines joyfully following
the turkey tracks painstakingly painted on the streets
(with washable chalk paint) the week before.
Roanoke’s Finest helped guide the crowds and make it
a safe race.
Participants came from 15 states. Family groups (the
largest family group had 40 members!) decided to make this
their new family Thanksgiving tradition.
Awards (hand crafted pewter medallions by Floyd artist Bill
Langston and homemade pumpkin pies for the top 3 men and
women) were given to the age category winners. And all of
the racers and walkers and dogs made it to the finish line
without any falls or mishaps.
Our
third Thanksgiving Day prayer was answered.
As families gathered around dining room tables all over the
Roanoke Valley to celebrate the bounty of their family
Thanksgiving table, we at the Rescue Mission also gathered
for the Mission 's Thanksgiving feast. More than 730
dinners were served by a fresh group of volunteers. We
feasted on turkey and ham and all the trimmings, including
a dessert table loaded with all sorts of homemade desserts.
All were fed and the table talk made everyone feel like
part of the family!
Our
fourth Thanksgiving Day prayer was answered.
We raised $71,050 in sponsorships, $24,926 in runner/walker
fees and $24,215 through the WSLS Pre Dash Telethon for a
total of $120,191 while we “moved our feet so others
could eat."
We can't think of a better way to start Thanksgiving
Day.
