November 7 Blanket Collection Run

It was heartwarming to see such an outpouring of generosity at our run yesterday. And given the 49 degree starting temperature, we all needed a little bit of warming. We had a magnificent turnout numbering in the 40's and about three dozen of the group either ran or worked the water stop set up by the high energy lululemon crew at Palmer & Bonita.

We also had a magnificent response to our blanket drive. The final tally will be well over 200 blankets and we are grateful to the many people who stepped up to the plate on this endeavor. We sincerely thank those involved in this effort. I will report the final numbers when I get them.

It was a real pleasure to have the presence of some of the key people who were instrumental in our collection effort. Susan Paul arrived with an SUV full of blankets collected from her Saturday and Sunday Marathonfest Groups, and Kirsty Walker and Laura Williams delivered the Galloway program loot. Betsy Hughes of Track Shack joined us also. (The Marathon training programs just mentioned are conducted under the auspices of the TSF Fitness Club whose founders are Jon and Betsy Hughes)

Also, Diane Merritts from TV Fitness Pros arrived with the blanket collection she had orchestrated. (Diane also indicated she plans to start running with our Sunday group.)

Adding a festive element to this happening were the lululemon girls (and guys) who not only turned up with blankets, but also added zest to the proceedings. If we could bottle their verve, enthusiasm and fun-loving demeanor we would be on easy street! Being of sound mind, I ran directly to their water stop and hung out with them for a while. Then ran back to complete an astounding three miles or so! (But I do have a pesky ankle which I shamelessly use as cover)

After the run, Teresa Williams delivered another bunch of blankets to my car. Teresa is the ring leader of the Sunday group which meets at Park and Morse.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of those who participated. Dave Sutton of the Winter Park Dawgs orchestrated a separate collection and delivery effort and tells me he expects to have at least 30 blankets delivered this week. Fellow runner Melanie Fernandez also is orchestrating a blanket collection effort at her firm (Cross, Fernandez & Riley)

Finally, many thanks to Billy and to those of you who volunteered your vehicles for this effort. As it turned out, Billy's van had a huge capacity and he is delivering 135 blankets to the Coalition shelter today..

Have a great week. Since next Sunday is a Grand Prix race day, hope to see some of you at Celebration.

Jack