On Saturday, September 19, Team Kennedy Valve joined more than 7,000 participants across five counties in the 9th annual Stache Strong 5K, an event dedicated entirely to funding a cure for glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
Our team was 25 strong this year, including Kennedy Valve team members from both the floor and the office, along with their families. Thirteen ran or walked the course in Vestal, New York. The other 12 participated virtually, covering the distance on their own ground. Together, the team raised $2,933 in donations above and beyond the company's sponsorship gift. The event as a whole raised $261,877.
Kennedy Valve returned as a platinum level sponsor for the second consecutive year. That sponsorship covered the cost of postage for the flagship event and placed the Kennedy Valve name on the official event shirts, the Stache Strong website, and event social media. It also funded registrations so that more people could take part without cost being prohibitive.
The team ran in its own custom shirt, featuring a Kennedy Valve hydrant crossing the finish line with the tag line, "Keeping communities flowing. Running for a cure." The back side of that shirt read, "Every step is for someone we love" and for this team, that is not marketing copy. Several of our people have been affected by glioblastoma and other forms of brain cancer. We run and walk on behalf of all of them.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, donated, or put in the miles from wherever they were:
Nate Pizzini, Vincent Pizzini, Chris McCutcheon, Ted Zaparzynski, Cherise Haase, Carol Garcia, Cody Rose, Danielle Rose, Salah Marei, David Steele, John Southard, John Ross, Savanna Ross, David Adams, Melissa Adams, Saurabh Naik, Joshua Croft, Eric Williams, Felicia Lewis, Doug Lewis, Kristie Wilbur, Phillip Nelson, Chris Tobey, Garrett Johnson, Zach Oyer, and Chris Agerton.
Two years in, this has become something Kennedy Valve people show up for on their own. We will be back next September.
