For the third year, local runners connected with the Winona School District are teaming up to raise money for St. Jude in preparation for the St. Jude Marathon, set for this Saturday, December 1 in Memphis, Tenn. According to team member Becky Dees, team leader Amber Austin set the team goal for $10,000, and increasing it as the team exceeded their personal goals. Currently, with still time to donate on behalf of the team, the Winona team has raised over $18,000.
A raffle was held to give away a glider rocker, and Winona Elementary Student Fisher Hunt, who is also a St. Jude patient, drew the winning entry purchased by Melanie Burrell. Hunt (pictured in front) received a bone marrow transplant at St. Jude. His sister Sophie (pictured front right) was his donor, and his sister Sadie (front left) was his cheerleader.
Team members are (second row) Iva Ruth Faulk, Amber Austin - Team Captain, Bonita Smith, (back) Belinda Morrison, Matt Surrell, Erica Dees, Mike Kotecki, Murry Catherine Alderman, Brenda Loftin, and Becky Dees. Not Pictured are Susan Ricks, Shoni Montgomery, Dewayne Montgomery, Tammy Reid, Chris McRae, and Dalton Murphy.
Donations can be made on behalf of a participant or the team by visiting fundraising.stjude.org until January 4. Just follow the prompts to find a participant, and a donation can be made in the name of anyone on the Winona team.
