October 12, 2004

Letter to the Editor:

The Pine Belt Pacers held its HUBfest Muscular Dystrophy 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 9. We estimate that we were able to raise over $750 for the Muscular Dystrophy summer camp. Despite the rainy weather, we had excellent participation with over 120 runners and walkers. The Army took top honors in group participation, as did the Presbyterian Christian School team in the school division.

Special thanks should be given to Ryan Hendley, who officially started the race, along with Stephen Schlautman who eloquently sang the National Anthem. The event was a success because of corporate sponsors such as Hattiesburg Clinic Sports Medicine, Subway, Hattiesburg Coca-Cola, Soccer Locker & City Runners, Sunbeam, Wal-Mart, Hattiesburg Bicycle Shop, Don & Beverly Conerly, Stein Mart, Citizens National Bank, Institute for Wellness & Sports Medicine and the Police Department. Many people from the community volunteered and others came and stood in the drizzle to support their friends and family. And, even though the weather wasn’t the best, it turned out to be a glorious day and a successful event.

Although held in conjunction with HUBfest, our main goal is to benefit Muscular Dystrophy. It is heart warming to know that there are so many people who care about our community enough to get up early on a Saturday morning to volunteer their time. If you are interested in Pine Belt Pacers, go to www.pinebeltpacers.org.

With many thanks and hopes for a great race next year, I remain

Sincerely,

Deborah Barrett

Pine Belt Pacers

For information verification purposes:

Home address: 641 River Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Home phone: 601-583-3008

Work phone: 601-649-7181, Option 1, Extension 13

Thank you in your consideration to publish this letter. We really do want to publicly thank all of our supporters.