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.
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