Staff from St. Mary’s Home were in the studio audience of “The Hampton Roads Show” this morning. If you didn’t get a chance to catch the show live, here’s a video of our segment talking about St. Mary’s 5K this Saturday and the Fall 2010 Homearama Charity House,which will benefit St. Mary’s Home:
Category Archives: 5K
St. Mary’s Friend Receives Volunteer Award
Trey White with Angela West at the 2009 Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in Virginia Beach. Angela joined staff at St. Mary’s table last night in support of Trey at the Volunteer Hampton Roads dinner at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. (photo by Ginny Cohen)
Trey White – a familiar face to St. Mary’s staff and children – accepted an “Individual Adult Volunteer” award last night at the Volunteer Hampton Roads awards dinner. With nearly 500 people in attendance and 22 individuals or groups being recognized, Trey had a cheering section that even the lifetime achievement honoree, Tom Frantz, noted in his remarks.
Trey created Team Hoyt VB, a local offshoot of a national father-and-son team that competes in athletic events. Trey has organized runners, participants, families, volunteers, transportation, registrations, consent forms, photography, pre-race parties and more for 14 events over two years, covering more than 60 miles and touching hundreds of lives. That includes taking part in St. Mary’s 5K fundraiser, which this year will be Oct. 2, once again at Fort Story.
Team Hoyt VB runners at the awards dinner: from left, Willie Shepherd, Greg Battaglia, Chris Graves and Trey White. (photo by Soozi McClain)
What motivates Trey? He has said, “It touches me to see the kids light up, get excited and feel the thrill of the wind through the hair. God gave me the ability to run and the compassion to give back to the community — what better pairing than this project of giving time with appreciative kids whose smiles just melt you. We are the lucky ones as we get just as much (if not more) out of it than they do.”
What does it mean to people in our community? People with disabilities feel the difference an advocate can make when you look at individuals for what they can do versus what they can’t. Here’s what just a few people have shared over the past two years:
Denise: “Ian is making strides that we never thought were possible. Ian enjoyed himself so much, and as his mom it was just another dream that my son is doing the impossible with his disabilities, leaps and bounds.”
Sonya: “We look forward to next year’s running events and all the beautiful children. What an awesome gift — to be connected in community, service and spirit.”
Tara: “I am truly thankful for (Team Hoyt) giving my family these amazing experiences and wonderful memories. Alex found so much joy in each race. As his mother seeing him happy and excited filled my heart. I could not hold back the tears. I am so blessed that we were able to be a part of something so amazing.”
Congratulations to our friend Trey. See you at the races – go Team Hoyt!
— post by Mary Helen Hilton, St. Mary’s director of annual giving, who has been working with Trey and Team Hoyt
St. Mary’s 5K Promo Wins Gold ADDY Award
Many congratulations to the talented, creative and generous team of Regent University students who put together a video promo for St. Mary’s 5K fundraiser last fall. On Saturday, the group received a student gold ADDY award in the television category from the Hampton Roads chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Kudos to April Campion, the writer-producer-director, and the rest of her team, including Jeffrey A. Dear, the director of photography, and editor Tony Cece.
Watch the award-winning video:
Running for a Good Reason
Ready to start the 5K. (photo by Kathy Brobst)
One-Mile Fun Run finishers, with “Rocket Man,” who warmed up the kids before the race.
(photo by Kathy Brobst)
More than 400 runners, walkers, volunteers and supporters turned out at Fort Story today for the 21st Annual St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children 5K, plus One-Mile Fun Run.
This was the second year the event was at the Virginia Beach base. The event raises money to support the programs and services of the Home, which cares for 88 children and young adults with severe disabilities. Last year’s race raised more than $16,000, and this year’s 5K was on track to raise even more.
In addition, during the race awards ceremony, Team Hoyt VB presented the Home with a check for $10,000 — which the team raised for St. Mary’s during the 2009 Rock ‘n’ 1/2 Marathon at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront over Labor Day weekend. Team Hoyt runs with people with disabilities, using jogger strollers.
Thank you to everyone for making today a success. Your generosity is astounding.
For race results, see the Tidewater Striders’ website.
St. Mary’s 5K is Less Than a Month Away
Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Fort Story in Virginia Beach for St. Mary’s 21st Annual 5K Run/Walk, plus One-Mile Fun Run. Proceeds support the programs and services of St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children. See our website for more information or to register.
A generous group of Regent University film students donated their time and talent to create a video about the event. You can watch it below to get a glimpse of what the runners, walkers and race volunteers are doing this for:
Ready, Set, Go …
As Team Hoyt VB’s members readied for a fun run at St. Mary’s Home on Saturday, they wondered if Mother Nature would smile on them. Despite earlier showers and clouds in the distance, 15 joggers/walkers and a dozen children in jogger strollers made half-mile laps around St. Mary’s property with laughs, smiles, squeals of joy and even a few claps. A few gentle raindrops felt refreshing, and the sun came out just in time for a final group picture.
Team Hoyt VB formed in April 2008 with the same goal as the national father-and-son Team Hoyt: to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life. This local group of Team Hoyt supporters embrace that spirit wholeheartedly. They go the extra mile to make the running events happen, loading as many as 25+ jogger strollers on multiple vehicles to reach the starting line. Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.” That message rings true with this enthusiastic group.
Look for Team Hoyt VB at these upcoming races: CHKD 8K on June 13, Allen Stone Memorial on July 18, Surfers Healing on August 22, Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon on September 6 and finishing the season with St. Mary’s 5K fundraiser on October 3 at