The first Long County Diabetes Awareness Day was held Nov. 8 at the recreation park in Ludowici. With a large crowd in attendance, $10,296 was raised, according to event coordinator Walt Pelton.
“The event was a great success. I want to thank the community for such an outpouring of support,” Pelton said.
Some of the activities included a dance, a motorcycle ride, a raffle for a Grizzly cooler, a CrossFit “Battle of the Sexes,” and a diabetes-friendly chili cook-off. Pelton said Long County resident Krystal Rhoden won the cookoff, and Sylvania resident Donna Brown took home the cooler.
Rowdy Carson, who owns CrossFit Hinesville, organized the “Battle of the Sexes” competition and said that he thought the turnout for the event and the competition was good.
“We had a pretty good competition. It was set up so that both men and women competed against each other. We ended up with about 30 total teams with the two divisions combined,” Carson said.
Entertainment was provided by dancers from the Glennville Onion Squares and Erin Houston’s Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Musical entertainment was provided by Exit 76, Jericho River and Kicking Up Dust.
“Today’s turnout is awesome. Walt really rallied the community together. We haven’t been able to do this in the past, and Long County really showed up,” American Diabetes Association spokesperson Maggie Harney said.
She said that the funds from the rally will benefit efforts to help find a cure for diabetes and also to help those who are living with the disease.
Pelton said that he was pleased with the first event, but he already is planning for 2015.
“We are looking to make this event even bigger and better next year,” Pelton said.
Other members of the committee who helped plan the day include Tim Wells, John Kuhanek, Gerald Blocker, Shawn Smith, Focus Sanders, Juan Rosario, Shaun Cowart, Debi Wells and Mary Pelton.