To the editor:
The "Diabetes Dash for Copper Country Kids" planning committee appreciates all those who participated in this inaugural event held Jan. 9 at the Michigan Tech's SDC.
This healthfair/indoor field day was a joint effort between MTU Preschool, Portage Health and Michigan Tech. Proceeds benefited the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org), a national organization committed to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.
The Diabetes Dash reached more than 60 families (both attendees and volunteers), with one family coming all the way from Iron River.
The Diabetes Dash committee, including Brita Odegard, Courtney Hohnholt and Mary Sue Hyslop, thanks Mike Abbott of Michigan Tech and the SDC staff, especially Dave Nordstrom, Lois Sedar and Chris Roy. They were very generous with their time and assistance and made this health fair event possible.
We would like to thank Portage Health for their participation, specifically Geri Merkey, RN and Katie Rukkila, RD. Karin Van Dyke and Angela Lucas of Portage Health also assisted in the planning of this event.
Several people donated their expertise and time, including Chris Hohnholt, Carol Grafford, Margaret Landsparger, Erin Carter, Mary Webster, Pat Fezzey, Sigrid Resh, Greg Waite, Elise Nelson, Amanda Bowman and Doreen Klingbeil.
We would also like to thank the coordinators of our youth volunteers, especially Major Crick and the JROTC cadets, the Neves Family with the Young Men and Women Leaders, Brian Jarvis and his Boy Scout Troop, Mandy Shaw and her Boy Scout Troop, Karen Jarvis and her Girl Scout Juniors, Mary Fran Desrochers and Victora Baker and their Brownie and Junior Girl Scout troops and Sierra Bishop.
Several other youth volunteers dedicated their time, including Elissa, Eli and Emily Hannu, Emily Jarvi, Hannah Moran, Boris Busov, Christa Harju, Colleen Linn, Maria Sliva and Claire Johnson.
For the contribution of the participants prizes, we are grateful to Judy Usitalo of Superior National Bank and Carrie Dove Storer.
For help advertising, we thank Tech Today, Heartland Communications, The Daily Mining Gazette, WOLV, WMPL, and Eagle Radio.
Finally, thanks to the Western Great Lakes chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for their encouragement, and Barbara and Dennis Wiitanen and Ken and Melena Huffman for their heartfelt support.
Kay Waite
Graeleigh Storer
Houghton