Thanks for Community Support

Dear Editor:                                                   

Every fall for the last 4 years, a special event has taken place in Port St. Joe in support of the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society. 

The Paws in the Park 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run highlights the best of Port St. Joe. 

Local businesses contribute supplies, merchandise, food, and water to help make the race a success. The Port St. Joe Police department, City Public Works, kids from elementary through high school and other volunteers work together to make the race a safe, fun experience for the runners and walkers.

Local runners join visitors from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, and points north as well as those from Tallahassee and Panama City, often braving less than ideal weather.  A large number of 4-legged runners is usually in attendance as well, with as much variety in breeds as an AKC dog show!  Many of them are former shelter dogs, now happily adopted.

A 5K run is a short race (3.1 miles), as road races go.  However, it’s an event that takes many hours of preparation and effort.  The work behind the scenes may go unnoticed but should not go unappreciated. 

Many thanks to these contributors for helping make the race a success:

Bow Wow Meow Beach, Vision Bank,  Beach Realty, No Name Café, Duren’s Piggly Wiggly, Big Bend Beverages and the Gulf County TDC contributed supplies, food and drink for the race.  Coast2Coast Promotions and Boyer Sign did great work under pressure to get T-shirts and signs in time for the race, also.

Chief David Barnes, Officers David Garner and Tim Wood of the PSJ Police Department, John Grantland, Jimmy Rogers and Sam Bucierri of PSJ Public Works helped prepare the race course and kept it safe

PSJ High ROTC, Keyettes, Key Club, elementary students Josie Adsit and Gracie Cryderman, volunteers Phil Adsit, Sophie Adsit, Barb Van Treese, Jeanne Gammon, May Fuze, Deb Cryderman, Vickie Burke, Kelli Newman, Judy Miick, Sandi Christy and Andrea Heard all donated time and energy to make the race day go smoothly.  These folks and many others who contributed are examples of the spirit of cooperation that can make good things happen here.

Next year will be the 5th anniversary of the run and we’d like to make this event even bigger and better.  I would love to see more locals o ut there, helping to raise awareness and funds for the SJB Humane Society and literally, putting our best foot forward.  Get out your sneakers and Fido’s leash and come join us!

Thanks again to all volunteers and supporters.

Jennifer Mercuri

Paws in the Park 5K Director

St. Joseph Bay Humane Society