Walmart donates to Heroes Run
WAYNESBURG – Representatives from Walmart, the major sponsor of the 2013 Heroes Run/Walk, today presented the families of two Greene County servicemen killed in Iraq with a check for $2,500. The donation, along with all other sponsorships and race proceeds, will benefit memorial scholarship funds established in the men’s honor.
The seventh annual Heroes Run/Walk, held Sept. 21 along the Greene River Trail, raised $11,085 for memorial funds established in the names of Army Spc. Gregory Cox of Carmichaels and Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips of Spraggs, both of whom were killed in Humvee accidents in Iraq. Cox, 21, died in September 2004, and Phillips, 27, died in February 2006. More than 250 runners, walkers and sleep-ins participated in the event.
Presenting the check from Walmart – which has been a major sponsor every year since the race started – were Marcy Park, Walmart market manager, and Steve Beres, store manager of the Waynesburg Walmart. Jim Phillips accepted the check on behalf of his son’s scholarship fund; Paulette Phillips and John and Mary Anne Cox were unable to attend Thursday’s presentation.
“It gives me great pride to sponsor this race,” Park said. “This is the seventh year of the race, and Walmart has been a major funder every year.”
“Walmart wasn’t even in the county when this race started,” added Jake Blaker, recreation director. “They were the catalyst that got us started so we could have this run.”
The Spc. Gregory A. Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund assists Greene County high school graduates entering the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or the fields of public safety or public service. The Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips Memorial Fund provides support for the computer-aided drafting program at the Greene County Career and Technology Center. Both funds are being handled by the Community Foundation of Greene County.
Race proceeds also help fund the cost of transportation for Greene County veterans receiving treatment at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System clinic in Pittsburgh. The Greene County Department of Recreation coordinates the race with the Cox and Phillips families.
The eighth annual Heroes Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, along the Greene River Trail. For more information, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.