Roanoke Times - July 11, 2007
By Jessica Marcy
Photo by Eric Brady
Spencer stands 6 feet tall and 6 feet long with his tail as he roams around The Roanoke Times Music for Americans. For a little more than two years, the Roanoke runner has played the role of "Dash," the Rescue Mission's mascot for its Drumstick Dash 5K run held on Thanksgiving that helps feed the homeless.
The fifth grade teacher at Raleigh Court Elementary School said he enjoys the event. It's much more relaxed than standing outside Kroger and having to compete with the Boy Scouts to get some attention. It's better than Avalanche games, he says, where he can be overshadowed by other mascots.
On this night, he's got the crowd to himself.
"Did you know that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird?" he asks people.
Spencer says older women love to touch his tail to see how it was made out of donated ties by a 14-year-old girl.
For all the fun that he has, though, Spencer has done some serious work.
He has helped the Rescue Mission increase the number of participants at the Drumstick Dash from 1,713 the first year in 2006 to nearly 3,319 last year, making it the city's largest race -- and raising tens of thousands of dollars for the homeless. He does so by going to at least 40 events a year, such as this Independence Day event dressed as Dash. This year, organizers hope to have 6,000 participants for the Thanksgiving run.
The Rescue Mission approached Spencer about being a mascot after an article was published about him in The Roanoke Times. The May 2006 piece described how he started running as a way to memorize scripture. In the process, he lost 80 pounds and discovered a passion.
Spencer is the perfect mascot type. He was an avid runner who was serious about his Christian faith. He was comfortable speaking in front of groups and seemed like he wouldn't do anything embarrassing in a turkey outfit.
"He's just been a huge blessing to us," said Lee Clark, director of development and administration at the Rescue Mission.
But, Spencer also counts himself as fortunate.
After he discovered his passion for running, he says he prayed that he could somehow use it to glorify God. It seemed like a strange prayer because so much of running was individual and focused on how to improve one's time and figure.
But, then the Rescue Mission approached him about being Dash.
"This is God answering my prayer," Spencer said.
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