Annual TCBDD Run/Walk Supports Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
By Teri Stein
May 31, 2011
318
Summary: A variety of people entered the 11th annual Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities 5K run and one mile walk for a variety of reasons, but the most important was to support individuals with disabilities.
The annual Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities 5K run/walk will honor the memory of one of its former consumers, the late Cindy Conidi of Dover. Conidi, who died unexpectedly last September, worked as a receptionist for the TCBDD since 1987.
Everyone was proud of her accomplishments; Conidi owned her own home and car and was involved in her community through St. Josephs church and the Italian American festival. She enjoyed walking and often participated in the annual run/walk.
A portion of the proceeds from the run will go to the scholarship fund in memory of Conidi. A scholarship will be awarded to an individual with developmental disabilities for the purpose of assisting with employment or independent living.
Organizer Doug Ross called this years event tremendous as 95 runners and 35 walkers registered for the event. The race is also part of the series of races in the Tuscarawas Valley Challenge.
Each year some of the proceeds also go to the TCBDD Levy fund as tax dollars cannot be used to fund levy renewal campaigns. This year Ross also plans to use some of the proceeds to purchase I Pads to use with students who have autism.
Doug Ross sister, Michele, who receives services from the TCBDD, has participated in each of the eleven races, pushed in a wheelchair by family members.
Michele has changed our lives for the better in so many ways, said her mother, Donna Ross. She helped us realize whats important and whats not. We dont get caught up in the day to day things and we appreciate everything.
Another family who receives services from the TCBDD also participated. Joe Dotto, 16, a student at Starlight School, was joined by his mother, Marilyn, sister, Betsy, and his brother, Mitch, who is currently serving in the Marines.
Mitch, home on pre-deployment leave, was asked by Doug Ross to hold the American flag at the opening of the race. Doug was Mitchs Jr. High Basketball coach so he knew he was home on leave, said Marilyn Dotto who added that Mitch will be deployed soon to Afghanistan.
Runners and walkers of all levels entered the race. Friends Rose Gintz of Mineral City and Jennifer Armstrong ran together. The two are co-workers at Makos Market in Uhrichsville, one of the race sponsors.
Jennifer was running a race for the first time. I always thought it would be something neat to try. Rose is a runner so she brought me along. Jennifer had been training for three weeks, running with Rose one time each week and Jennifers sister, Tracy Harmon, the rest of the time.
Though she came in near the end, Jennifer was happy she completed the race. Its hard, she commented.
We beat our last time so we did good, said Rose.
Well get our run schedules together and do some more races this year, said Jennifer.
Susan Webster of New Philadelphia is retired from the TCBDD where she was a staff member at Starlight Workshop. Though shes still recovering from foot surgery earlier this year and is using a cane, she wanted to enter the one mile walk. Its a good cause – the best, she said.
Webster has good memories of walking in the race with other family members. I walk because Ive had five healthy grandchildren. Ive been blessed.
Among the many local community sponsors, in addition to Makos Market, are Romig Insurance, the Uhrichsville Elks, the Dennison Eagles, the First National Bank of Dennison, WBTC, and Subway. All three county commissioners, Kerry Metzger, Chris Abbuhl, and Jim Seldenright, also assisted with the event.
Because its a community event, TCBDD Superintendent Natalie Lupi is grateful for the opportunity to provide more public awareness about the services the TCBDD staff provide to more than 560 individuals each year. Were very appreciative to Doug Ross for planning the event and to the runners who show up each year. Its outstanding, said Lupi.
A list of the final race results will be available soon.
