News
May 23, 2009 -
Fire and rescue company raises $5,000 during first Ambulance Chase 5K and
½ Mile Fun Run
FAIRFAX, VA. -
Memorial Day weekend began with an ambulance chase as 186 area runners
raised $5,000 during the Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company’s
first 5K run on May 23rd.
“It was a highly
successful event,” said Hana Brilliant, FOVFR president and event
coordinator. “I’m thrilled we had so many runners participate in our
inaugural race.”
Beginning and
ending at the Fairfax Government Center, two races challenged runners
and walkers of all ages. A kids’ race motivated more than 30 children
and their parents to chase the company’s ambulance for a ½ mile fun run.
A 5K race through the Fair Lakes area attracted runners spanning
generations, from well-trained competitors to families with jogging
strollers. Ages ranged from 15-months to 86 years old.
“The number of
smiling faces, particularly the kids, showed that the event made us a
lot of friends and supporters within the community,” said Mark Servello,
FOVFR treasurer and fellow event coordinator.
Suzanne Day and her son Lucas participated in the event after learning about it
on-line.
“I’d never been to
a race like this, and the fact that it was family-friendly appealed to
me,” she said. “It was fun for the kids to see the ambulance, to see the
lights and hear the sirens, and it was a chance for all of us to do
something fun and for a good cause.”
The money
raised from the event goes to the company, which provides fire and
emergency medical services to the Fair Oaks community and throughout the
Northern Virginia region in partnership with the Fairfax County Fire and
Rescue Department. The company recently purchased a 2009 Horton
ambulance which entered service in April, replacing a 1996 Ford
ambulance that had reached the end of its service life. Fair Oaks
Volunteer Fire and Rescue regularly provides basic life support
capabilities to the community from Fire Station 421 on Lee Jackson
Memorial Highway at West Ox Rd.
“When people
donate to the company, they are really donating to their community,”
said Ms. Brilliant. “We are volunteers serving our neighbors, and it is
through their help, we’re able to do that with the best equipment and
resources.”
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