| No thing is more precious than this day. |
Nick's Race
"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched
the world as much as adversity has."
~Billy Graham
the world as much as adversity has."
~Billy Graham
About Nick's Race >
Just after Nick’s death, the Volk family was asked if they wanted to donate Nick’s
organs. While the answer was not an easy one under the circumstances, it was made
just a little eaisier as they recalled Nick's own attitude on the matter. “Since Nick was
just 16 it hadn’t been that long since I went with him to get his driver’s license. That’s
one of the questions they asked him and his attitude was, ‘well of course, why not,’”
says his mother. “...I knew that’s what he wanted to do.”
His older sister wanted to do something as a tribute to him. As an event planner, she
decided to use the biggest thing she and Nick had in common—running—and make it
an event. Nick’s Race was the result, a 2.85-mile run and 2 mile walk through Sam
Parr State Park in Newton. “It’s not just about Nick,” says his mother, Sue Volk. “We’re
really rural, but we have a lot of people who are organ and tissue donor or recipient
families.”
The race’s mission is to spread the word about organ donation and the importance of
discussing your decision with your family. Speakers have included donor and
recipient families and representatives from Gift of Hope. Many local businesses and
organizations, along with people touched by organ donation, donate prizes for a large
raffle. Nick's Race grows and changes each year.
2009 Nick’s Race
Once again, we want to thank you for your generosity in helping to make the 2009
Nick’s Race another success. The race would not be possible without the
tremendous amount of help from donor and recipient families, friends, neighbors, and
area businesses.
This year proceeds from the race and raffle totaled $10,063.61 after expenses.
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network received checks totaling $4035. The
Nick Volk Memorial Scholarship Fund received $2678. The Newton Community High
School Cross Country Team received $2506. The Newton Community High School
Drum Line received $844.61.
Nick’s Race seven year totals are as follows. Gift of Hope has received $27,820
from Nick’s Race proceeds, the scholarship fund has received $18,172.67, the NCHS
Cross Country Team has received $15,766.89, and the NCHS drum line has received
$5118.88. This is a grand total of $66,878.44. This could not be possible without your
continued support!
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network uses the money received from
Nick’s Race for educational materials and programs.
The Nick Volk Memorial Scholarship Fund has given away seven $1,000
scholarships. The recipients have been Jessica Judy, Jason Brackett, Johanna
Frichtl, Tyler Holsapple, Clay Britton, Megan Alburtus, and Kendra Will.
With money from the race, the Cross Country team will replace some uniforms
this year, go to a large meet at Mt. Vernon, and help buy running shoes for the team. In
the past, the team has received new uniforms and warm-ups, bought a tent for shelter
at the really hot and really cold meets, and gone to invitationals that they normally
would not be able to afford.
Drum line money has been spent on new equipment, drum line instructors, and
music.
This year’s main speaker was Rob Hemrich of Newton. His father, Delbert
Hemrich, received a heart transplant 17 years ago. Although Delbert recently died,
Rob talked about the transplant itself and family events that his dad got to be a part of
because of his extended life. Rob also talked about how Nick’s Race has helped him
to “put a face” on the donors that have donated organs so that others, like his dad,
could live. Rob’s story was very inspirational, and at least 2 people signed up to be
organ/tissue donors after he spoke.
We had 273 registered runners and walkers this year, the most ever. With races
the same day in both Effingham and Robinson, and with the extremely hot conditions
that day, we were extremely pleased with the turnout. Our total crowd was easily well
over 300 as we also had donor and recipient family members who came for the
speaker, but were unable to do the run or walk through the woods. Drum line
students, volunteers, and parents were also on hand for much of the morning.
Thank you again for your assistance in making the Seventh Annual Nick’s Race a
great success!
Every day transplants save lives. Today more than 98,000 people are waiting for
lifesaving organ transplants nationwide. Learn how you can make a difference. If you
would like to learn more about organ donation, please visit our "Forms and Links"
page to find links to some very informative websites.
organs. While the answer was not an easy one under the circumstances, it was made
just a little eaisier as they recalled Nick's own attitude on the matter. “Since Nick was
just 16 it hadn’t been that long since I went with him to get his driver’s license. That’s
one of the questions they asked him and his attitude was, ‘well of course, why not,’”
says his mother. “...I knew that’s what he wanted to do.”
His older sister wanted to do something as a tribute to him. As an event planner, she
decided to use the biggest thing she and Nick had in common—running—and make it
an event. Nick’s Race was the result, a 2.85-mile run and 2 mile walk through Sam
Parr State Park in Newton. “It’s not just about Nick,” says his mother, Sue Volk. “We’re
really rural, but we have a lot of people who are organ and tissue donor or recipient
families.”
The race’s mission is to spread the word about organ donation and the importance of
discussing your decision with your family. Speakers have included donor and
recipient families and representatives from Gift of Hope. Many local businesses and
organizations, along with people touched by organ donation, donate prizes for a large
raffle. Nick's Race grows and changes each year.
2009 Nick’s Race
Once again, we want to thank you for your generosity in helping to make the 2009
Nick’s Race another success. The race would not be possible without the
tremendous amount of help from donor and recipient families, friends, neighbors, and
area businesses.
This year proceeds from the race and raffle totaled $10,063.61 after expenses.
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network received checks totaling $4035. The
Nick Volk Memorial Scholarship Fund received $2678. The Newton Community High
School Cross Country Team received $2506. The Newton Community High School
Drum Line received $844.61.
Nick’s Race seven year totals are as follows. Gift of Hope has received $27,820
from Nick’s Race proceeds, the scholarship fund has received $18,172.67, the NCHS
Cross Country Team has received $15,766.89, and the NCHS drum line has received
$5118.88. This is a grand total of $66,878.44. This could not be possible without your
continued support!
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network uses the money received from
Nick’s Race for educational materials and programs.
The Nick Volk Memorial Scholarship Fund has given away seven $1,000
scholarships. The recipients have been Jessica Judy, Jason Brackett, Johanna
Frichtl, Tyler Holsapple, Clay Britton, Megan Alburtus, and Kendra Will.
With money from the race, the Cross Country team will replace some uniforms
this year, go to a large meet at Mt. Vernon, and help buy running shoes for the team. In
the past, the team has received new uniforms and warm-ups, bought a tent for shelter
at the really hot and really cold meets, and gone to invitationals that they normally
would not be able to afford.
Drum line money has been spent on new equipment, drum line instructors, and
music.
This year’s main speaker was Rob Hemrich of Newton. His father, Delbert
Hemrich, received a heart transplant 17 years ago. Although Delbert recently died,
Rob talked about the transplant itself and family events that his dad got to be a part of
because of his extended life. Rob also talked about how Nick’s Race has helped him
to “put a face” on the donors that have donated organs so that others, like his dad,
could live. Rob’s story was very inspirational, and at least 2 people signed up to be
organ/tissue donors after he spoke.
We had 273 registered runners and walkers this year, the most ever. With races
the same day in both Effingham and Robinson, and with the extremely hot conditions
that day, we were extremely pleased with the turnout. Our total crowd was easily well
over 300 as we also had donor and recipient family members who came for the
speaker, but were unable to do the run or walk through the woods. Drum line
students, volunteers, and parents were also on hand for much of the morning.
Thank you again for your assistance in making the Seventh Annual Nick’s Race a
great success!
Every day transplants save lives. Today more than 98,000 people are waiting for
lifesaving organ transplants nationwide. Learn how you can make a difference. If you
would like to learn more about organ donation, please visit our "Forms and Links"
page to find links to some very informative websites.
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