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.