CLEVELAND – Members of Coast Guard Station Tawas, in East Tawas, Mich., are scheduled to run though the streets of nearby towns to promote the Thunderwater – Great Lakes 500 Canned Food Drive, Friday morning.
The group’s goal for the food drive, which began Oct. 24 and and is scheduled to end Dec. 15, was to collect 500 canned food items and run a total of 500 cumulative miles.
Members the station have pledged to run 500 miles during the event. The original goal of collecting 500 canned food items has been surpassed, reaching to more than 1,500 canned goods.
WHO: Coast Guardsmen assigned to Coast Guard Station Tawas
WHAT: Participating in the Thunderwater – Great Lakes 500 Canned Food Drive;
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, 10 a.m.
WHERE: The run will start at Neiman’s Family Market; Runners will head north via U.S. Route 23 and onto Newman Street.
A trailered Coast Guard boat will be towed behind the runners.
Members of the community are encouraged to run with the Coast Guardsmen.
“During the last run, one man was cheering us on with chants of ‘500 miles,’” said Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan McLean, an officer-of-the-day at Station Tawas. “A group of sweet old ladies came up to us after the run and asked what we were doing. After explaining the food drive to them, they went to the nearest store and bought canned food to donate.”
Members assigned to the station are working with local businesses to help with the food drive, there are several drop boxes located at Wal-Mart, Neiman’s Family Market, Brew Krew and Cash Advance. The community is also encouraged to bring donations to the Coast Guard station and receive a station tour.
“We have a great community and have received excellent support from them, and I would love to see them cheer us on as we run.”
