Amish Country Half Marathon supports local nonprofits with race proceeds

Runners may have run during the annual Amish Country Half Marathon, which took place Saturday, Sept. 6 at Grace Church in Berlin, but the real winners were a trio of recipients the race tabbed as benefactors of the proceeds.

The race leadership team has donated to both Pure Gift of God and the East Holmes Fire and EMS department for years, the department always lending a hand to make sure the route is safe and secure. This year there was a third party added, that being Sacred Ground, an organization that provides services and support to individuals with special needs and their families.

According to race promoter Brent Miller, these three recipients are deserving of the funds because of the important role they play in the community.

"We are honored to be able to share our proceeds with three tremendously important organizations in our community,” Miller said.

Sacred Ground administrator Griffin Long said they were not only grateful for the funds, but also for the opportunity to get their individuals and team staff members involved in the race as cheerleaders.

“We are the cheer team, and we are having a great time,” Long said of the event that saw the individuals who visit Sacred Ground regularly handing out medals to those finishing the race.

Sacred Ground operates out of Grace Church, and Long said for the past couple of years, they have watched race officials gear up for the event. When they were invited to act as the cheer squad, Long said they quickly accepted the honor.

“I think we’re the perfect group to help with that because we tend to bring a lot of joy and excitement to wherever we go,” Long said. “To get to join in that was energizing for our whole group, and we are grateful they offered to include us and support us.”

Their team, all dressed in bright blue shirts, included board members, employees, individuals and their families, and all came ready to be loud and joyful.

Not only did the race leadership team donate a specific amount to Sacred Ground, but also it donated extra for each participant who came to cheer.

“We were excited to be able to give them the opportunity to get involved in a community event like this,” Miller said of Sacred Ground. “It gives them an opportunity to have some fun, play a vital role and to be part of our community in a special way. Their enthusiasm is infectious and rewarding.”

East Holmes Fire and EMS Capt. Jason Troyer said out of the 45-member roster, most of them were on hand to give back to the race, serving either at the start-finish area as EMT personnel or acting as safety personnel along the route.

Troyer said prior to the race, EH Fire Chief John Schlabach meets with race officials to explore the route and figure out what roads need closed and protected at crossings to ensure the safety of the runners.

“We have every one of our apparatus out making sure everyone is safe during the event,” Troyer said. “Two of our squads are positioned at the start of the race and at the opposite end of the race so that if we do experience any issues with runners, we can quickly respond. We hope we don’t have to respond, but we’re here if we need to.”

Troyer said the department is grateful to race leadership for the donation and added this event is another example of the way Holmes County collaborates to put on special events to take care of one another.

“We are blessed to have the support from so many in our community,” Troyer said. “That support is why Holmes County is such a great place.”

Joanna Miller, board and staff member at Pure Gift of God, said they have been honored to be a part of this race since the current Amish Country Half Marathon leadership team took over the reins of the race.

She said this event has provided an opportunity to share the organization's vision of aiding families hoping to adopt a child and providing valuable therapy services to individuals and families of both foster and adoptive families.

“Since we are a nonprofit, we rely on donations and funds from the community, and this event not only donates to our cause, but gives us a platform to share what we do,” Miller said. “There are still plenty of people out there in our own community who don’t know what we do, so our hope is that we can spread the word about the importance of our mission through this.”

All three entities receiving benefits are thrilled to receive the donation but are just as excited to be involved with a community-wide event that allows them to share their purpose and vision and to say thanks to those who support them.