Rylie’s Dog Days of Summer 5K organizers thank supporters
On Labor Day, 109 people registered for the Rylie’s Dog Days of Summer 5K, and many more attended the activities.
Rylie’s Smile Foundation focuses on bringing smiles back to sick children and their families by helping them achieve a better quality of life through health education, assistance, advocating for new treatment options and supporting research of less-toxic therapies. The 5K and afterparty, with food prepared by American Legion Post 17, beer for those over 21 donated by NKS Distributors, live music by Catch the Drift and a silent auction, was well attended and provided memories for all.
The scenic 5K trail course took runners through Cape Henlopen State Park. Running Nuts received the largest group cup and prize, a happy hour at The Starboard. Winners for overall male and female were Brian David and Michelle Karsnitz; masters winners were Jenifer Besten and Matt Sparacino. All received trophies and two beach towels. There were also 52 medals given out, plus the free kiddie K participants all earned medals and gifts. The new category for most dramatic finish was won by the bionic man, Butch Marrin. The event grossed more than $6,400 through registrations, silent auction item sales and donations.
The silent auction included loaded beach bags, waterproof Bluetooth speakers, beach towels, apparel, jewelry, youth art kits, toys, salt lamps, holiday towels, hiking packs and gift certificates. Thanks go to silent auction item donors such as Entourage Branding, Quiet Storm, Christmas Spirit, Yesterday’s Fun, Stoneworks Lapidary, Bad Hair Day, Rylie’s Sunshine, The Nifty Pickle and The Starboard.
“The silent auction is always a hit at the 5K afterparty. We love that we are always donated items from local businesses that anyone would love to have, and that we can promote their businesses as well,” said Rylie Maedler, Rylie’s Smile Foundation founder. “There are always good-natured bidding wars taking place.”
The event was made possible by the generosity of its sponsors, especially American Legion Post 17, which hosts Rylie’s Annual Dog Days of Summer 5K and pulls out all the stops to ensure everyone has a fun and memorable morning. Rylie’s Dog Days of Summer 5K Gold Sponsor this year was CSC, an MJH Life Sciences conference focused on analytical science and alternative medicines. The Silver Sponsor was Columbia Care Delaware, a medical dispensary located at Tanger Outlets. The Glitter Sponsor was Funland, which has generously sponsored since the very first 5K. Other special sponsors were Johnson Orthodontics, NKS Distributors, Coastal Pediatric Dentistry, Front Range Biosciences, The Starboard, Fresh Market, the Delaware Beach Book and Friends for Pete Schwartzkopf. Support sponsors included American Legion Post 17, PAWS For People, Running Nuts and Rylie’s Smile Foundation Board of Advisors.
Rylie’s Smile Foundation has been instrumental in the passage of four laws in Delaware and several more in the nation to improve pediatric patient access to alternative medications, and it continues to advocate nationally for improved and safer access. The foundation is actively involved in research with Front Range Bio, which will benefit an immeasurable number of medically compromised patients, and provides health education and assistance to families in need. The Rylie’s Smile Foundation team has had the pleasure of directly helping 407 families. The many supporters who registered, participated, donated, sponsored and volunteered have helped make support possible for these families and others to come.
To learn more, go to ryliessmilefoundation.org.
