Run for Freedom helps raise funds for veterans home

Sept. 02--WARRENSBURG -- The West-Central Missouri Veterans Assistance League hosts the 13th Annual Run for Freedom 5K, 10K and Poker Walk, with proceeds benefiting the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg.

The event starts at 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg, 1300 Veterans Road.

Volunteer Services Director Latisha Koetting said proceeds go into a fund to buy an estimated $110,000 handicapped-accessible bus for the facility.

"The advantage of the kneeling buses is that they go all the way down to the curb, so there's no lift that goes up into the air," she said. "Your loading time is going to be quicker. It's safer as well."

She said the bus helps transfer veterans to area events.

Koetting said last year the event raised $22,300 and she expects a higher total this year.

"We are on par to raise that, if not more already," she said.

Last year 50 veterans, more than 150 runners and 100 volunteers attended the event, she said. Koetting said more have registered this year.

Last year's Poker Walk filled nearby neighborhoods with wheel chairs as volunteers from Whiteman Air Force Base and University of Central Missouri sorority members pushed veterans along streets

"The veterans just light up when they see that much community support for them," she said.

Koetting said the Kansas City Track Club and the Kansas City VA Medical Center are among this year's volunteers.

Koetting described the Poker Walk: Each participant goes to five stations in the neighborhood and draws a card at each station. The best five-card hand determines the winner.

The top three in 12 age/gender categories for the 5K and 10K contests, and veterans and community members in the Poker Walk, receive medals. Koetting said this year's veterans will present the medals at the awards ceremony.

"Getting a medal from a World War II veteran is so much cooler," she said. "We have some really, really wonderful veterans in our home and I want them to be able to participate because ultimately this is their run for freedom. The proceeds go back to helping enhancing their lives."

Koetting said she would like this year's event to feature veterans lined up to cheer 5K and 10K runners by waving flags, holding signs or ringing cow bells.

"I know if I was a runner, I would need somebody to ring a big old cow bell or something to get me through that finish line," she said.

Event registration forms are available at the Missouri Veterans Home-Warrensburg and online at http://2015valrun.eventbrite.com.

Runners also may register at 8 a.m. the day of the event. Costs are $15 for Poker Walk, $20 for 5K and $25 for 10K. Participants who register by Sept. 17 receive a free T-shirt.

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