Running for Rotary – Be the Change – May 20, 2011
On Saturday, June 11 Anna Thorniley, a senior at Slippery Rock University, will kick off her quest to run 1,000 miles and raise $10,000 in honor of the children at Akron Rotary Camp.
Akron Rotary Camp offers children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience the friendship, fun and excitement of camp. Akron Rotary Camp is a place where disabilities and limits don’t hold anyone back and provides children with special needs a place to spend their summers.
“The children who attend this camp struggle each day just to do activities such as tying their shoes or zipping a jacket. They push themselves and it inspires me to push myself,” said Thorniley.
During the summer of 2010, Akron Rotary Camp hosted 1,122 children and adults with disabilities for day and overnight camping programs as well as 400 campers and families who participated in respite weekends. That same summer, Anna had the privilege of working with the Akron Rotary Camp. Expecting to learn new skills and gain experience — it never occurred to Anna how much the children would teach her.
“They work so hard to do simple tasks and they challenge themselves every single day. I want to honor them by challenging myself to run 1,000 miles in one year,” said Thorniley.
On behalf of the Akron Rotary Camp, Anna invites you to lend a hand and sponsor a mile. Take the first step and join her as she strives to reach her goal of running 1,000 miles in one year and raise funds that will give kids the opportunity to experience a week at camp.
“The cost of doctor visits, medication and assisted devices make it hard for parents to find the extra money to send their children to camp,” said Thorniley.
Anna's journey begins on Saturday, June 11 as she kicks off her challenge by running 10 miles from Akron Rotary Camp to Camp Y-Noah. The journey to 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Take the first step and join Anna on her beautiful journey.
