The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Village Striders holds fundraiser event for one of their own
LITCHFIELD — The Village Striders are organizing a fundraiser to help one of their own members, Ron Peck, recovering from a serious accident.
Peck and his wife, Kathi, were injured in June when the car in which they were passengers was rear-ended by another car on Route 202 in Washington, according to a report from Fox News. Peck sustained a spinal cord injury. After months of rehabilitation, he is back at home with his family.
The “Move-a-thon For Ron” is set for Halloween day, and is a socially-distanced run, walk or ride from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rain date is Nov. 7. The Move-A-Thon For Ron will be held at Plumb Hill Playing Fields adjacent to Litchfield Intermediate School. “Everyone who loves Ron is invited,” the Striders said in a statement.
“Ron wants to be positive,” said Berta Andrulis, a member of the Village Striders and director of the Litchfield Community Center. “That every day is a new day, and that every day brings little successes. That’s the way he’s thinking.”
Peck, she said, is a beloved member of the group and the Litchfield community. “He’s always the greeter at the front door (for Striders events),” Andrulis said. “He and his wife are very accomplished athletes, and the family is just a beautiful ripple effect of their parents.
“Speaking on behalf of the Striders, we’re committed to do what we can for Ron and the family,” she said.
The cost is a $10-per-mile contribution. Participants are asked to get pledges to raise more money. All proceeds will be used to help the Pecks with medical and
rehabilitation equipment, medical expenses and adapting the family home for wheelchair access.
Participants can arrive at any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to walk as many laps as they wish on the track. Four laps equals one mile. Walk-ins on Oct. 31 are welcome. Masks will be required. Participants can choose to do a combination of activities or a “Peck-AThon,” while runners have a choice of a 5K or a fivemile cross-country course, which follows the Litchfield Community Greenway and Whites Woods trails. Cyclists have a five- or 10-mile course option. Virtual participation is also welcome, for $25 on Eventbrite. Prizes will be awarded for the highest fundraiser, and youngest and oldest participants. Food trucks and live music will be available.
Andrulis said the response has been positive
and people are signing up. “If people decide that day that they want to come, don’t hesitate,” Andrulis said. “We’d like as many people to register as possible, so we know how many to expect.”
Ron Peck is living with his daughter, Erin, who is a chiropractor and has a house that is manageable for his needs, Andrulis said. “The whole family is just amazing,” she said. “There are few words to describe them; they have unequivocal love and devotion for him.”
After leaving the hospital, Peck spent months at Gaylord rehabilitation hospital in Wallingford before returning to Litchfield three weeks ago, she said. “The family are incredible advocates for Ron,” she said. “They do all they can to keep him going in the right direction.”
“He means the world to
the Village Striders,” Andrulis said. “He’s a really, really good guy. We all take care of each other, and help each other. We want to keep him striding forward.”
Andrulis noted that the accident is in litigation. “Unfortunately, all of that is going to take awhile,” she said. “People can’t put their energies into that, so they need to focus on getting him better every day.
“I just love him so much — we all do,” she said. “We just want to help him. This event is a positive opportunity for us, the chance to get out and do something out in the world.”
To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/ move- a-thon-for-ron-registration-122283317695. Funds will be collected at the event. Make checks payable to: Village Striders, Memo: “Ron Peck Move-a-thon,” 174 South Lake St., Litchfield, CT 06759.