LANDINGVILLE — Royalty joined in the Care Net Love Run 5K on Saturday.
Cheryl Ann Heim, Mrs. Schuylkill County America 2016, was there along with her parents, Dennis and Karen Gibson, Lake Wynonah, to support the cause. They joined more than 300 racers and walkers raising funds for Care Net of Schuylkill County, a nonprofit organization.
Heim’s next competition is the Mrs. Pennsylvania America Pageant on June 18 in Philadelphia. She and her husband, Jeremy, New Ringgold, have three sons.
“We’re big supporters of Care Net and go to their banquets,” added her mother, a member of Grace Evangelical Congregation Church in Schuylkill Haven, where Cheryl works as secretary.
Care Net is a crisis pregnancy center assisting women and men in unplanned pregnancies with free pregnancy testing, parenting and material support without prejudice. All services are free and confidential.
“This race today is the result of many people working together,” Executive Director Cheryl Cresswell said as she and Teen Health Director Sarah Hahner welcomed guests.
Cresswell thanked supporters, volunteers and staff at the race trail entrance in Landingville.
The spring fundraiser began in 2000 with a run in Pottsville, and eventually took off at the Landingville location, where it’s been held for the past four or five years, Cresswell said.
More than 60 businesses and community organizations contributed to the run, and an estimated 100 volunteers donated their time, she said. Pastor Ted Rathman offered a prayer blessing before participants gathered at the starting line.
DJ Dave Smith and his wife, Cindy, with “Spin Jammers Mobile DJs” of T-102, offered musical selections throughout the morning, and Smith announced the race rules.
Ruth Evinger, Easton, left her home at 6 a.m. to get to the starting line in time. She said a friend invited her to the event so she agreed to join her.
“My goal is to run 10 5K events this year and this is my third one,” Evinger, who had previously lived in Schuylkill Haven for a few years before moving back to Easton, said.
“It’s beautiful here and it’s for a good cause,” she said.
Friends Kim Pastucka, Hegins, and Katie McNulty, Cressona, were running their first 5K together, although they had run in separate events over the years. McNulty, an expectant mother, ran in the Care Net event last year with her husband, she said. It was Pastucka’s first time at a Care Net race.
“I’m here to support her,” Pastucka said.
Meanwhile, Michael and Krissy Keiter, New Philadelphia, brought their children, Rene, 10, Devin, 12, and Nathan, 13, to the fundraiser as part of the “Run For God” group, with Kimmel’s Church. Krissy Keiter said her family has been running for about two years, and that Nathan placed second in his age group in a recent race in Reading.
Michael Keiter said his family had just started running in Landingville during the past few weeks. They normally run near their home in New Philadelphia or in Pottsville, he said.
Kathleen Scheibelhut and her daughter, Kristyn Scheibelhut, both of Schuylkill Haven, were also part of the “Run for God” group. Kathleen Scheibelhut said she ran the race last year as a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville.
“I think it’s important, because there are more and more unwed mothers, and mothers who may not have the finances or family support. This is like a family to them,” Kathleen Scheibelhut said of Care Net.
Care Net’s fall fundraiser, the Fall Gala, will be held Oct. 16 at Faith Church, Route 61, in Orwigsburg. This year’s theme is “Sweet 16,” marking the organization’s 16th anniversary year, Cresswell said.
Care Net of Schuylkill County opened its doors to a second location earlier this year called Real Options Pregnancy Medical Resource Center, just off the Gordon Nagle Trail at 171 Red Horse Road, Suite 3, Pottsville. The Care Net of Schuylkill County Parenting Center, with its New Life Boutique, is located at 110 S. Centre St., Pottsville. The nonprofit organization operates solely on donations from businesses, churches and individuals.
Top male finisher was Ben Hinkel with a time of 17:52; top female finisher was Sue Wright at 22:34.
Other first place winners in their age groups were: Under 14 male, Travis Anderson, 19:45; Under 14 female, Grace Scheidel, 25:20; 15-19 male, Jacob Nahas, 19:22; 15-19 female, Emma Motto, 24:49; 20-29 male, Aaron Cali, 27:04; 20-29 female, Alyssa Miller, 23:30; 30-39 male, Chris Fisher, 21:52; 30-39 female, Kelly Trabosh, 23:30; 40-49 male, Bill Palsgrove, 19:48; 40-49 female, Carol Motto, 22:52; 50-59 male, Russel Lang, 26:08; 50-59 female, Christen Snyder, 23:13; 60-plus male, Bob Hahner, 30:04; 60-plus female, Joan Stout, 29:47.
Pretzel City Sports, Reading, timed the event.