Orange sponsors 5K run to honor military heroes

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Orange Township officials have announced a 5K run next weekend to raise money for the planned veteran’s memorial “Heroes Not Forgotten.”

“The memorial is to honor all branches of the military,” said Beth Hugh, parks director. “It will start and finish at Olentangy Orange High School looping around on the township’s trail system.”

The run is set for Sunday, Nov. 13 starting at 8 a.m.

According to Amanda Sheterom, township spokesperson, the memorial is to be constructed on the corner of Orange Road and Old State Road in front of the old township hall sometime in 2017. “The construction will be done in phases,” she said. “The estimated cost is just shy of $400,00.”

“We had been looking for ideas to raise funds and ways to promote it,” said Trustee Rob Quigley. “Trustee Deb Taranto came up with the idea of a 5K.”

Quigley said the township partnered with Race Penguin of Columbus to manage the event from sign-up to posting the finishing times of runners. For details about the run go to Race Penguin’s event page and scroll down to Orange Heroes not Forgotten 5K.

According to Quigley, the plan is to make the run an annual event in the township. “I’m excited; it’s the first time we’re doing this.” Quigley said. “We’re going to have this every year to honor our heroes.”

According to Sheterom, Orange High School student Amelia Dewey’s design themed “Heroes Not Forgotten” was chosen in 2013 for the memorial. Matt Croghar and Kyle Benecke, also local Olentangy Orange High School Students, came up with the theme “Heroes Not Forgotten.”

Earlier in October Orange Middle School students participated in an inaugural Honor Walk to raise funds for the benefit of the township’s Veteran’s Memorial. Throughout the day students spent their social studies period walking down to the old Orange Township Hall to get a doughnut and then back to the school’s track to walk another mile.

At that time the students were sponsored by family and friends to raise money for the memorial. The walk raised $9,600, said Kristen Marconi, social studies teacher.

To donate to the memorial the township has established a special fund with the Delaware County Foundation, a non-profit community foundation that will manage the donations.

Student Amelia Dewey’s design “Heroes Not Forgotten” was chosen in 2013 for Orange Township’s veteran memorial. Students Matt Croghar and Kyle Benecke came up with the theme of “Heroes Not Forgotten.”
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/11/web1_Heroes-Not-Forgotten-F-1.jpgStudent Amelia Dewey’s design “Heroes Not Forgotten” was chosen in 2013 for Orange Township’s veteran memorial. Students Matt Croghar and Kyle Benecke came up with the theme of “Heroes Not Forgotten.”

By D. Anthony Botkin

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D. Anthony Botkin may be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @dabotkin.

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