the partnership behind Mestrong

January 19, 2016

Saturday, January 23, 2016 the St. Barnabas Crusaders will be out in full force at the 5th annual ME STRONG 5k. Our school participates in many community events, but the significance of this event and where it all began is at the very heart of St. Barnabas Episcopal School.

The founders of ME STRONG: Kim Martin, Kathy Guyer, Kim Winters, Linda Ryan, and Barbara Underhill all met over 10 years ago while working together as faculty members and volunteers at SBES. The positive learning environment that we strive to provide by encouraging spiritual, intellectual, moral and emotional development applies to our students, but also to the development of our entire St. Barnabas Community. Through a variety of different school projects and school social events these five women formed a special friendship that would lead to something that neither of them ever knew was in their future. ” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,” Jeremiah 29:11

When Linda Ryan, St. Barnabas parent and volunteer, was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 her friends were determined to be a source of light during a dark time. They organized the inaugural ME STRONG 5k in Linda’s honor. The goal was to bring our community together to support our friends and family members battling cancer. The friends strived to make it an event that would encourage our community to get moving and commit to healthy living. St. Barnabas school was behind the vision 100%. We formed a team, provided a bus to transport volunteers, showed our sprit by providing a cheer station, and our students art work provided motivation signs along the route. The inaugural event was an overwhelming success with more that 900 participants. The friendship of these five ladies that began at St. Barnabas has now grown to unite an entire community.

Today, through volunteer efforts and their commitment to serving others ME STRONG is now a 501( c ) 3 charity that has donated nearly a quarter million dollars to offer financial assistance to our neighbors battling cancer. This charitable organization has also donated thousands of dollars to an annual research grant in search of a cure. The ME STRONG 5k is ME STRONG’s flagship event; however, they currently host a variety of events that all share the same mission to support the friends, families, and individuals battling cancer through the power of friendship.

The 2016 ME STRONG 5k is expected to reach nearly 2,500 participants. Walkers, runners, young, and old will unite together this Saturday morning and St. Barnabas Crusaders are proud to support the ME STRONG 5k. Together in strength!

You can learn more online about MeStrong and St. Barnabas or find us on social media!

the partnership behind Mestrong

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