Jingle Bell Run latest community service effort
When racers line up Dec. 12 for the fourth edition of the Pell City Rotary Jingle Bell 5K, 10K and 1-Mile Fun Run, they will be running to make a difference in the community with every single step.
It is the latest effort by Pell City Rotary Club to put its motto – Service Above Self – into action, joining a series of major events by Rotary each year that puts tens of thousands of dollars into nonprofit causes making an impact across the community.
It began as the spark of an idea by Serge Brazzolotto during his term as president to create an event that would bring community together and raise major funding for worthy organizations. Chaired by Bill Ellison in its early years, he and Brazzolotto have provided a strong foundation on which to build.
The Jingle Bell Run ignited a movement that gains more momentum with each year. In just its three-year history, it already has provided over $160,000 to organizations, such as the St. Clair Sheriff’s Boys Ranch to build new housing and provide other renovations and support across its campus.
Funds have gone to The Children’s Place St. Clair Child Advocacy Center, providing a coordinated, child-focused response to victims of abuse; Ann’s New Life Center to assist women in crisis, distressful or unplanned pregnancies; Arc of St. Clair for facility renovations to better serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and WellHouse to provide greater opportunities to serve trafficking victims from all over the country here at home.
This year, the Jingle Bell Run turns its attention to veterans at Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City. Proceeds will go to help build a fully handicapped-accessible garden for the nation’s heroes right here at home.
By creating raised planter beds, an herb garden and beautiful flower garden with water features, it will offer veterans of all mobility levels “a place to grow, gather and thrive,” said Hiliary Hardwick, director of the veterans home and a Rotarian.
An underutilized outdoor space has the potential to become a special place for veterans and their families. It will feature built-in, raised planter beds designed for wheelchair accessibility, allowing residents to comfortably plant, cultivate and harvest without unnecessary physical strain.
A vibrant herb garden filled with fragrant favorites can be enjoyed in the home’s dining program or during special cooking activities. The colorful flower garden with soothing water features creates a peaceful retreat for veterans and their families, and blooms will attract butterflies and pollinators.
Gardening can be therapeutic for the veterans in a variety of ways with physical and mental health benefits, social engagement and a sense of purpose. The vision also includes being part of the local Farmer’s Market to share their harvest with the community.
“This garden will become a place where every resident can participate, a space where independence is restored, friendships flourish and memories grow,” Hardwick said.
Jingle Bell Run Chair Whitney Bateman agreed. “This is an incredible project we are so proud to help bring to fruition. It’s an honor for us to be able to give back to our veterans who sacrificed so much for us.”
Bateman noted that the event has grown with each year, and this year, there’s even more excitement surrounding it because of its focus on veterans. “Our sponsors are coming forward in greater numbers to get involved, and our racers are lining up to register to be a part of it. We have a lot of fun activities planned, so watch our Facebook page for more details.”
“All of our events have a single purpose in mind – to serve our community,” said President Casey Cambron. “From the Father-Daughter Dance to the Ray Cox Memorial Golf Tournament to the Annual Tennis and Pickleball Tournament, we focus on making an impact through our service throughout the community.”
Because sponsorships mean so much to the success of every event, Rotary is able to give grants totaling thousands of dollars to worthwhile organizations all across the community every year.
As Joe Paul Abbott, longtime Rotarian and chair of the Golf Tournament, says: “Because you give, we can give.” And that’s a lasting legacy indeed.
