×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Kalkreuth Sponsoring Debbie Green 5K in Wheeling

Photo by Alan Olson John Kalkreuth, left, presents a check to Ron Green toward the Debbie Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk for Leukemia.

For the third year, Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal has been named as title sponsor for the Debbie Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk for Leukemia, with a donation of $7,500 for the cause.

The event raises funds to donate to children suffering from all forms of pediatric cancers each year. Race organizer Ron Green said the race tends to bring in enough to assist one to three children in the area, which is their goal and their upper limit.

“If I could raise $15,000 (or) $20,000 each year from the race, then I’m very happy,” he said.

“We can help one, two, or three children within a 100-mile radius of Wheeling that has a pediatric cancer. The most we’ve done is 3, and that’s our max a year. We’ve helped over 40 in the 21 years we’ve been doing this.”

“Ron puts on a great event, and he’s year-round with it,” said Paul Orbin, director of marketing with Kalkreuth. “We’re a main sponsor one day a year, but he does this all year long. It involves the whole community, too, and that’s important to us.”

Green said he’s received correspondence from as far away as California, speaking with families struggling to battle childhood cancers.

“I can’t help them from that far, but how wild is that?” he said. “With Facebook, these people meet people all over, like a support group. Some families don’t have a lot of family, and it’s a bad thing to have in common with someone, but there’s something there.”

In previous years, Kalkreuth had also brought in as many as 70 employees to participate in the race, as well as received their financial support.

The 5K was founded in memory of Debbie Green, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1970. She died April 4, 1972. Since then, several events have been held, including the 5K, to raise money for local children fighting the same battle.

The 5K will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 beginning and ending at Heritage Port. Registration will be held at WesBanco Arena.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today