Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2006
Source: Daily News, The (Longview, WA)
Copyright: 2006 The Daily News
Contact: http://www.tdn.com/forms/letters.php
Website: http://www.tdn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2621
Author: Christy Caballero
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

COLD WEATHER DOESN'T DETER RUN OR FUN AT FUND-RAISER

RAINIER - A common cause drew people to the Red Ribbon Run on
Saturday - to run hard, or stand fast, or maybe even make a big
splash for the right reason -- keeping youth drug-free.

A total of 76 runners and walkers, whose entry fees help support
Rainier Together Coalition's anti-drug programs, took part in the Red
Ribbon Run. Participants, who were from all around Northwest Oregon,
could go on a 5K run, a 3K walk/run or a 1K walk/run. About 50 more
community members and representatives from various organizations
participated and supported the even.

"We started three years ago, in honor of Red Ribbon Week," said
Marleen Zytniowski, Rainier Together Coalition chair. "It's gotten a
little bit bigger each year; we really have fun."

Fun is in the eye of the beholder, and fund-raising can take some
gritty volunteers, especially when the temperature drops, and water
for the dunk tank comes straight out of the garden hose.

Rainier High School Vice Principal John Gummell was dripping wet and
refused to shiver as he shouted "Is that all you got?" at the teen
holding the third ball, waiting to throw, already two-for-two for
dunking him.

Lots of dunks later, dried off, in a warm coat, Gummell said, "After I
got dunked the first time, I kept thinking 'This is for a GOOD cause'
but hey, to bring the issue of drug abuse resistance to the forefront,
I'd get wet every day."

The Oregon National Guard's booth had a ringside view of the dunk
tank. "There's no way on God's green earth you'd be getting me into
that bad boy," said Sgt. Robert Vickey of Portland. "I like staying
warm; that's why I'm wearing a field jacket."

But he was all about the common cause.

"We do prevention programs for middle and high school programs
throughout the state. ... This event has grown since last year, and
that's always encouraging," he said. "Now I've got to get ready to
run."

Booths for United Way, St. Helens Police Department, and various other
agencies and ministries were set up at the event. A sand
castle-building competition was ongoing, making sure there was
something for everyone.

Robert Peabody, a Rainier High School senior, also did time in the
dunk tank and then ran the 5K -- in his dunk tank clothes.

"Yes, and my shorts are wet and I'm chafing," he said.

But asked about a quote for the cause, he said, "Don't do drugs!
That's my motto."

Fabian Petri may qualify as the entrant from farthest away -- the
student attends Neah-Kah-Nie School District near Cannon Beach, Ore.,
as an exchange student from Germany. "I enjoyed today; it was cool,"
he said.

His cross country coach, Dan Kamerer, said Rainier had a beautiful
course.

"It was exciting to see different levels of competition -- adults with
kids -- that motivation thing," he said. "An overall successful day."

John Freeman of Rainier Together Coalition said he was delighted so
many people showed up to support the event.

"I'm especially pleased to see how many people were willing to be
dunked in COLD water on a COLD day to support keeping kids off drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Derek