Dec. 30, 2018 – Washington Co., WI – Today I completed 24 years, 364 days of not missing a day of running. That’s 9,129 days in a row and run No. 25 of the 25 Runs of Gratitude.
Today’s run was prerecorded weeks ago at the Senior Center so I was able to do a quiet Sunday run by myself this morning before the sun came up. If my neighbors don’t follow the Insider they probably are wondering what’s wrong with me, most of my 9,000 plus runs over the years have started and ended on this street. My last 24 runs have started and ended at the doorsteps of one of our incredible United Way funded agencies. I used to teach classes at Moraine Park Technical College years ago and many times students would come to my class and say, “why do you look so familiar?” I would then ask them if they may have seen me running and they immediately respond, “You’re the runner.”
Barring any tragedy today, tomorrow’s run, Monday, Dec. 31, will mark 25 years complete. We are celebrating 25 years and the success of the 25 Runs of Gratitude on Monday, Dec. 31 at the home of West Bend’s first family, the Sadownikows.
Kraig and Jo have hosted my end-of-year party the last few years after it outgrew the space available at the Rettler house. The end-of-year party, since year 20, has been a party to raise money for scholarships to send Washington County High School graduates to Moraine Park Technical College. Last year we raised enough money to give three students $500 scholarships. This year’s run will be a combination of the two fundraisers. We will be going to church at 9:30 this morning at Holy Angels, then heading over to the Sadownikows with other friends to set up for the big event.
Today’s run was for the Senior Center. Paula Hader the Executive Director of the Senior Citizens Activities, Inc. provided me with the following information regarding the Senior Center. The mission statement of the Senior Center is, “Enriching the lives of adults 50+ through fitness and wellness opportunities, social interaction, recreational activities and community involvement.” Paula stated the Senior Center is working hard to change its image. The new Senior Center members love to travel, they also love to play pickle ball. They also volunteer at events like Enchantment. The Senior Center enriches the lives of adults over 50 years old and engages them in many ways. Washington County is grateful for the Senior Center.
Today’s run was sponsored by the WashingtonCountyInsider.com. Judy Steffes has worked relentlessly the last 25 days to make the 25 Runs of Gratitude a success. Judy has coordinated media efforts over the last few weeks and arranged for Fox 6 to cover the Emerging Leaders run that was held at Legendary Whitetails and CBS 58 who covered the Christmas Day run at Family Promise. She also made contact with the “Ellen Show” which I may have screwed up by accidently referring to her as “Roseanne.”
I am sure Kristin from United Way would agree with me that Judy’s incredible efforts with the 25 Years of Gratitude is one of the major reasons for success. Washington County is grateful for Judy Steffes.
Tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 31 I complete 25 years of not missing a single day of running. I have been blessed!
To date Pete Rettler’s 25 Runs of Gratitude have benefited the Boys & Girls Club, Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County, Easterseals SE WI, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Kettle Moraine YMCA, Elevate, Friends, Inc., Family Center of Washington County ,Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Inspire Washington County ,Youth and Family Project, Albrecht Free Clinic, Casa Guadalupe, Senior Citizen Activities, Inc. and the American Red Cross SE WI.
