Iron Mountain Road & Trail Half Marathon Committee members presenting 2017 Donation to the Loan Closet at First National Bank & Trust. From left to right: Nicole Lutz, Janet Anderson, Lisa Villringer (President/Race Director), Diane Schabo (Loan Closet President), Sandy Petroff, Matt Lutz (Treasurer)
Iron Mountain Road & Trail Half Marathon Committee members presenting 2018 Endowment Fund Donation to the Dickinson Area Community Foundation. From left to right: Matt Lutz, Melissa Wentarmini, Tamara Juul (Executive Director, Dickinson Area Community Foundation), Tanya DalSanto, Sandy Petroff, Mick Gayan
The Iron Mountain Road & Trail Half Marathon and Steve Mariucci’s Mini Mooch-athon, hosted by First National Bank & Trust, made its 6th Annual donation to the Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet on December 18, 2017. The September 23rd event raised $18,000 for the Loan Closet, bringing the 6 year total to $71,500. Half of the amount raised went to the Cancer Loan Closet Endowment Fund, established through the Dickinson Area Community Foundation. In addition, two $1,000 college scholarships have been established for high school students graduating in 2018, with the goal of making these annual scholarship opportunities.
The Loan Closet is a non-profit organization that has been assisting residents of Dickinson County, Aurora, Florence, Niagara, and Spread Eagle for over a decade by loaning equipment to cancer and non-cancer clients at no cost. The Loan Closet also has a financial aid program which helps with cancer prescriptions, Ensure, and incontinence supplies as well as out of town medical-related travel expenses. The Dickinson Area Community Foundation is a vehicle through which individuals, organizations and businesses are able to make gifts and bequests to benefit Dickinson County and surrounding areas. Income from these gifts is used to address a broad spectrum of needs in the community, with the gifts being tax deductible.
“Without the support of our community, these annual donations would not be possible,” said Co-Director Melissa Wentarmini. “The Iron Mountain Road & Trail Race Committee would like to extend a special thank you to the nearly one hundred volunteers who donate their time in so many ways to make this event possible and we look forward to continuing to grow, both as an event and as a fundraiser for the Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet.”
The Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet is operated solely by volunteers and donated monies. It is located at 201 East Breitung Ave in Kingsford and can be reached at 906-776-0966.
Donations to the Cancer Loan Closet Endowment Fund can be sent to: DACF-Cancer Loan Closet, 333 South Stephenson Ave., Suite 204, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. For more information on the fund, contact Dickinson Area Community Foundation Executive Director Tamara Juul at (906) 774-3131. For qualifying details on the Iron Mountain Road & Trail 2018 scholarships, information may be obtained by contacting area high school administrations.
“The 2017 events were another great success! The donations made are the result of our participants, our outstanding volunteers, and generous sponsors,” said Race Director Lisa Villringer. “We are so grateful to everyone who helps make this possible. The reach of the donations are felt in the lives of so many in our area.”
The Iron Mountain Road & Trail Committee is currently working with the City of Iron Mountain to expand the half marathon to include a full marathon for 2018. The Iron Mountain Road & Trail 2018 race will take place on Saturday, September 15th. For more information, and to register for the 2018 half marathon, visit imrthalfmarathon.org or the IMRT Facebook page at facebook.com/IMRTHalfMarathon.
