Local Runners Pick up the Baton for The Great American Relay from Boston to California
Volunteer runners began their journey to Westport at Bridgeport Fire Department. Pictured are: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. (contributed photo/no order)Beginning on September 11th to honor those lost to the World Trade Center attacks, the Great American Relay is making its way from Boston to Santa Monica, California to raise money for first responders and members of the military.
Volunteer runners make their way towards Westport with The Great American Relay batons. Monday’s schedule brought the relay from Branford, Connecticut to the World Trade Center Memorial in Lower Manhattan in ten separate stages - with stages 26 and 27 connecting at Westport Fire Department Headquarters at around 10:30 yesterday morning.
Local runners who volunteered to carry the baton from Bridgeport Fire Department Headquarters to its handoff in Westport were: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. The group handed the baton off to Barbara Campbell, Elizabeth Hofmann, and Lead Runner Jeffrey Wollman who carried it to Darien’s hand-off point.
In total, 58 runners helped get the baton from Branford to the World Trade Center Memorial by Monday night.
This morning the red baton will continue its journey West - with an expected arrival at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s City Hall late tonight with the help of several dozen more volunteers. By the time the baton reaches that West Coast - it will have traveled through 415 stages totaling 3,500 miles for nearly 40 days with the help of hundreds of volunteer runners.
To learn more about The Great American Relay or to find a stage to run with, click here: greatamericanrelay.com
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
High Tides: 5:45 AM/6:10 PM
Low Tide: 12:06 PM
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 6 to 11 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Town of Westport Meeting Schedule
Selectman's Maintenance Study Committee: 8:00 AM
Human Services Commission: 9:00 AM
Arts Advisory Committee: 12:00 PM
Zoning Board of Appeals - REVISED: 6:00 PM
Historic District Commission: 7:00 PM
RTM Public Works Committee & RTM Finance Committee: 7:00 PM
Board of Assessment Appeals: 7:00 PM
October 2: Walk a Mile with “Pa” in Memory of Granddaughter Rachel Doran at Compo Beach Fundraising Celebration
Rach’s HopeWestport non-profit Rach's Hope will hold an inspirational event at Compo Beach on October 2, inviting families to "Walk the Extra Mile with Pa" in memory of his granddaughter, Rachel Doran. Michael Isenberg, affectionately known as Pa, is close to fulfilling his pledge to walk 1000 miles in his 80th year for Rach's Hope. Let's join him as he crosses the finish line at Compo Beach next month!
The community fun walk will raise funds for the non-profit to continue its mission to support families with children battling critical illness by providing lodging, food, and transportation during and after their loved one's stay in the Intensive Care Unit.
When "Pa" pledged to walk 1000 miles to honor Rachel in his 80th year, his family knew that his long walks helped him remember his granddaughter, Rachel, who passed away at the age of 21 after an extended stay in the ICU in 2018.
Pa's family thought, "Hey! Let's make it a celebration and invite the entire community to walk the 1001st mile with Pa!"
No celebration is complete without live music, so Rach's Hope's signature band, Ellis Island, is coming to play some classic rock tunes to keep the celebration moving. After a quick one-mile loop around beautiful Compo Beach, walkers and cheerleaders will be hungry and thirsty but have no fear! Black Rock's Fire Engine Pizza Company Truck and Green's Farms Spirit Shop will be there to save the day!
Please join Team Rach's Hope and the Doran family at 4 pm on Saturday, October 2 at Compo Beach to join in on the fall festivities while supporting families facing the unimaginable.
This family-friendly event promises to bring smiles and hope to attendees and the families who benefit from Rach's Hope's supportive programs. All ticket holders will receive a cool Rach's Hope hat, pizza, dessert, and age-appropriate beverages while jamming to some good tunes with some solid people. Let's go! Throw on those sneakers and get to Compo! In true Rachel style, PJ bottoms are encouraged!
To purchase tickets, donate, or learn more about Rach's Hope, visit RachsHope.org.
Follow Rach's Hope on Facebook and Instagram @rachs.hope.
Rach's Hope, Inc. is a Connecticut non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status