Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
This year, 865 participants and more than 200 volunteers took part in the United Way of Gordon County’s 23rd Unity Run 5-K event in beautiful downtown Calhoun, while another 72 children participated in the AGC Pediatrics 1-K Kid’s Run at Gordon Central High School.
The Gordon Central Blue Wave Band started the run with the National Anthem and the traditional playing of the theme from “Rocky” at the start. The Sonoraville High Phoenix Band played while the runners passed the BB&T Park and the Calhoun High Jazz Band played as the runners crossed the finish line. Cheerleaders and mascots were on hand to cheer the runners on, along with hundreds of well wishers, volunteer water station workers and United Way agencies that were on the route supporting the runners.
The Unity Run has served as the United Way community campaign kick-off for the last 23 years and this year certainly did not disappoint. Always the last Tuesday night in September, the Unity Run is a downtown tradition. Pictures of the Unity Run winners and participants can be seen on the United Way Gordon County facebook page. The Hipster Woodman Drone Video of the 5-K Run may be seen on You Tube, listed as Unity Run XXIII United Way Gordon County’s Campaign Kickoff.
We would like to thank everyone who made this event a tremendous success. There is a long list of corporate sponsors again this year and we truly appreciate them. Platinum Sponsor Eddie Turner Heating and Air, Engineered Floors LLC, Field Turf, Gordon Hospital, Mohawk Industries, Nance Industries, Northwest Georgia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Shaw Industries 1-K Kid’s Run Sponsor AGC Pediatrics Gold Sponsor AOSM, Apache Mills, Atlanta Gas Light, Bentley Dye, Chick- fil- A, Georgia Bank & Trust, Mannington Commercial, Waffle House Silver Sponsor America’s Home Place, First Bank of Calhoun A Div. of First Bank, Georgia Northwestern, Greater Community Bank, Hamilton Hospital Neurosurgery and Spine Center, John Driscoll State Farm, Kellogg’s, Momon Construction Inc., Moore Equipment Sales, Inc., Nature’s Big Springs Water, Owen Security Solutions, QSI Business Solutions, Starr Mathews Agency, Yancey Rents, Walmart Bronze Name Alan P. McHan Family Dentistry, Brian’s Auto Sales, Inc., Calhoun Drug Co., Calhoun First United Methodist Church, Downtown Calhoun, Fitness First of Calhoun, Fox Systems, Inc., Hayes Plumbing and Electrical, Johnson’s Lawncare, Inc., Kroger, North Georgia National Bank, NorthSide Bank, P.T. Solutions Friends Calhoun City Schools, Calhoun High School HOSA, Calhoun Times, Carpet Capital Running Club, Gordon Hospital, Cherokee Capital Amateur Radio Society, City of Calhoun, DJ Donny Holmes, Gordon County, Gordon County Convention and Business Bureau, Gordon County Schools, Gordon EMS, Gordon Optimist Club, WEBS, WJTH
We are always so proud of our community and how the City and County governments, law enforcement, fire departments, schools and other agencies work together to make certain the run is safe and enjoyable. Thanks to the Calhoun Times for all the publicity they gave to this event.
On behalf of United Way of Gordon County’s Board of Directors, its staff, 19 agencies and the over 51,000 individuals served by one or more of the United Way agencies last year, thanks to everyone who had a part in this year’s Unity Run. Gratefully, Vickie Spence Executive Director United Way of Gordon County