Fun run/walk to benefit animals awaiting their forever family

Is there anything more enjoyable than seeing a dog walking or running in the park—tongue hanging out without a care in the world? How about hundreds of dogs (and owners) in Halloween costumes at the park? That’s what participants in Humane Society of West Michigan’s (HSWM) 5^th Annual Bark in the Dark extravaganza at Riverside Park will witness on Saturday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by HSWM, Bark in the Dark is an annual fundraising 5K & 1 Mile fun run/walk supporting animals awaiting their forever families. This fun-filled event, perfect for the whole family, but especially those furry family members, will feature a photo booth, face painting, and balloon animals before the run/walk from 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The run/walk begins at 6:30 and will be followed by music, complimentary snacks, and a beer tent!

In 2016, more than 3,750 animals found their forever homes through the efforts of HSWM. However, there is much work left to be done, as HSWM continues to work tirelessly to support animals in crisis.

“Bark in the Dark has grown substantially since its introduction five years ago,” said Tammy Hagedorn, Director of Development at HSWM. “Animal lovers across West Michigan look forward to catching up with old friends and making new ones, while enjoying a beautiful Michigan fall evening. We continue to be blown away by the generosity and support we receive from participants and sponsors as we seek to achieve our primary mission—promoting humane treatment and responsible care of animals through education, example, placement and protection.”

Those interested in participating in this annual event are encouraged to register and create an online fundraising page at www.barkinthedark.org, and then share on social media platforms or through email to facilitate donations to benefit HSWM. Because HSWM operates solely on donations, all funds raised allow continuation of care for thousands of animals each year, which includes: daily care, medical treatment, spay/neuter surgeries, behavior assessments, training, exercise, and enrichment.

Kids under 5 free with registered adult; youth 5-17 $10; and adults 18 and over $35 ($40 on race day).

To learn more about Bark in the Dark, visit www.barkinthedark.org.

Teen cancer victims Brison (right) and Preston (left) Ricker.

Have you been looking for a way to help teen cancer victims Brison and Preston Ricker and their family? You won’t want to miss this brand new event—Running for the Rickers 5K! It will be held on Sunday, May 21, at 9 a.m. at Cedar Springs Middle School. It is a 5K Run/Walk with designed stops between Cedar Springs Middle School, the Ricker Home, and Cedar Springs High School.

Come on out and have some fun and support the Ricker family as they win the fight against cancer! All proceeds go to the family.

There are three ways you can participate: attend the race, run your own virtual 5K, or just make a donation. Donations are $35 Adults, $20 Teen (ages 13 – 18), $10 Child (12 and under).

You can register at goo.gl/cj3KIX. For more on Brison’s and Preston’s story, visit https://www.gofundme.com/rickerstrong.

Glow-in-the-dark 5K & 1 Mile fun run/walk to benefit the animals at Humane Society of West Michigan

In the past year, more than 3,550 animals found new homes through the efforts of the Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM). To continue serving the community and homeless animals, HSWM will host its fourth annual Bark in the Dark fundraising 5K and 1 Mile fun run/walk on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Riverside Park. Guests are encouraged to bring their dogs, as this will be a great opportunity for people and their canine companions to get active while supporting a great cause.

“Thousands of animals across West Michigan are waiting for their forever family,” said Tammy Hagedorn, Director of Development of HSWM. “Bark in the Dark is a fantastic occasion for individuals or families to come together with their four-legged friends to raise awareness for vulnerable animals throughout our community. We’re grateful for the continued support we receive from participants and sponsors during this popular event.”

This fun-filled event, perfect for the whole family, will feature a photo booth, face painting, and balloon animals before the run/walk from 5:00 p.m.—6:30 p.m. The run/walk begins at 6:30pm and will be followed by music, complimentary snacks, and a beer tent.

Register and create an online fundraising page, which can be shared on social media platforms or through email to facilitate donations to benefit HSWM. Because HSWM operates solely on donations, all funds raised from the event support their important mission—promoting humane treatment and responsible care of animals through education, example, placement, and protection.  Funds raised allow continuation of care for thousands of animals each year, which requires: daily care, medical treatment, spay/neuter surgeries, behavior assessments, training, exercise, and enrichment.

Registration Fee:

Kids under 5: FREE with registered adult

Youth 5-17: $10

Adults 18+: $35 ($40 on race day)

To learn more about Bark in the Dark, visit http://www.barkinthedark.org/

The 5K race starts the day with registration at 8:30 and the race starting at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at Baptist Lake Park, 8810 Oak Drive, Sand Lake. The registration fee is just $20.00 for all ages. Registration forms are available on line at ensleytownship.org/crimewatch.  Registration is also available the day of the race. The event is being sponsored by the Ensley Crime Watch, The Baptist Lake Association, and the Englewright Lake Association.

The picnic begins at 11:30. The firemen grill hotdogs; there will be chips, cookies, homemade pies, coffee, pop and more. There will be a small fee for lunch.

Special guests include the Sand Lake Fire Department (trucks/equipment will be available for viewing), the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Deputies (SWAT vehicles on site), and the Newaygo Marine Patrol and Dive team.

There will be a 50/50 raffle and nearly $1,000 in prizes will be raffled off from local businesses.

The afternoon concludes with candidates running for local office available for a meet and greet.

Proceeds from the event will help the Sand Lake Fire Department purchase rescue equipment.

By Sue Wolfe

Ted Sabinas

Ted Sabinas, a 34-year Cedar Springs resident, teacher, and cross country coach, recently completed his 20th year of running 3.1 miles every single day. Twenty years calculates out to 240 months, 1040 weeks and 7,300 days, which involved outdoor conditions of extreme heat, snow blizzards, rainstorms, and high winds. Sabinas weathered them all while also teaching, coaching, parenting, grandparenting, and spending time with his wife and friends. He mustered up the time and determination to run a 5K each and every day while many people would be thrilled to just run one 5K in their lifetime.
This daunting goal starting in 1990 when Sabinas decided he would try to achieve running a total of 1,200 miles or 100 miles per month. As of December 8, Sabinas exceeded his original goal and now traveled 22,630 miles. This is further than running from Key West, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska and back (10,340 miles) two times!
When asked how he could run during illnesses, injuries, inclement weather, and time restraints, Sabinas said, “It was a case of mind over matter. I also believe this allows me to be a better cross-country coach. By actually running myself, I can relate to the mental and physical challenges that my runners are facing and implement some strategies and techniques that are helpful. ”
Sabinas also explained, “My father passed away at age 52 from a heart attack. I want to stay active and healthy. At age 58, I feel I can still do most everything I did at 28.” Injuries and incidents have not evaded Sabinas’s running adventures over the past twenty years. He has dealt with pulled muscles, flu, back pain, and colds. He has been chased by a Doberman and had a pigeon fly just overhead with him for almost a mile. While Sabinas’s usual route is down Pine Lake Avenue, he has also run in the summer heat of Puerto Rico and Mexico, the hills of West Virginia, bear country in the Upper Peninsula, and even the deck of a cruise ship. Sabinas was one of two Cedar Springs residents that ran the entire Michigan Coast-to-Coast Run in the late 80s as a fund-raiser for a new Cedar Springs High School track.
When asked what his next goal is, Sabinas replied, “I don’t have a specific number of years or miles in mind but hope to keep running as long as my body will allow me to.”
Sabinas has successfully coached the boy’s cross-country team for 26 years. He has educated his runners in the benefits of running for overall health physically and mentally. He has inspired his runners to be the best they can be, evidenced by his teams’ records of several conference and regional championships, 50-plus invitational wins, and 8 teams that qualified for state. His team’s highest state finish includes a 2nd in 1990 as well as a 5th and 9th place. Coach Sabinas’s cross-country win/loss record for dual meets is 165/46.  Sabinas has coached one All-American (Landon Peacock) and 15-plus All-State runners during his cross-country stay.
Sabinas shares the joy and commitment of consistently exercising with his wife Dianne who recently completed 18 years of consecutively walking 1.5 miles per day. His daughter Jennifer is the CSHS girl’s cross-country coach, has run in the River Bank Run, a marathon, and a triathlon. His daughter Sarah is an accomplished collegiate volleyball player and previously a middle school and high school volleyball coach.