Student organizer should be praised for fundraiser

On Sunday, Dec. 18, I had the privilege of attending a very special event in downtown Newark.

The event was called Run Run Reindeer 5K that started and ended at the Canal Market District in downtown Newark. I was amazed that the idea of this event and planning of it was done by a 16-year-old Licking Valley student, Kyle Rice.

Not only did he produce this race, but he also met with our Newark city officials and Newark Police Department and solicited major sponsors such as Park National Bank, WCLT Radio, First Federal Savings, Licking Memorial Hospital, Cuz II Ltd., David Rhoades and the Jerry McClain Companies. In addition to the sponsors, he was able to recruit more than 40 volunteers to work this event to be sure everyone was safe while participating.

The results included 144 runner and walkers raising more than $5,000 to benefit the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Network, which provides backpacks of food each weekend for students in need here in Licking County.

David L. Lehman, Newark