Holiday run to honor heroes

Fund-raiser to benefit soldiers' aid organization

Chris and Ann Steiner of Maumee, along with their children, 1st Lt. Kyle Steiner and Laura Johnson, are among family members who will participate in the Heroes Run benefit Saturday.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This version corrects information regarding Maumee's refuse collection and hours at Fallen Timbers in the holiday schedule at the end of the story.

Ann Steiner is well-acquainted with the military life.

Her oldest son, Corey, is a captain in the Army and was deployed to Iraq in May, while her youngest son, Kyle, a first lieutenant in the Army, is serving in Afghanistan.

So it is only fitting for the Maumee family to gather for an inaugural event featured in this year's July Fourth weekend festivities -- a Heroes Run and Walk on Saturday morning. The event will raise funds for Heroes in Action, a serviceman and veterans aid group.

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"We just thought it was a wonderful way to honor the men of honor in our family," Ms. Steiner said.

So even though most of the family had never run a 5K, she asked them all through email and got an enthusiastic response.

Ms. Steiner, her husband Chris, and 17 relatives are running the 5K, including Captain Steiner's wife, Lena, from Colorado, Lena Steiner's 84-year-old grandmother from California, and Lena Steiner's sister from Hawaii.

Ms. Steiner's two granddaughters, who are 4 months and 2 years old, will also "run" in strollers. A possible 19th participant, Ms. Steiner's daughter Rebecca, is four months pregnant and hopes to attend, but will first gauge the heat on the day of the run.

And perhaps most importantly, Lieutenant Steiner arrived home Monday from Afghanistan for a two week R&R, and will run with his mom and the rest of the family.

Heroes in Action sends more than 100 packages each month to soldiers overseas, and assists veterans whose benefits have expired to secure rent, clothing, and groceries. All funding comes from donations.

The organization's goal is to raise $10,000 -- the run's entrance fee is $30 on Saturday, while the event is free for active-duty military members.

Captain Steiner is expected to be home by the end of the year, however, Lieutenant Steiner is deployed through February, Ms. Steiner said. While overseas, both men have at one time served as platoon leaders, and both noticed that members of their roughly 30-member platoons were not receiving packages, often because of financial hardship. Ms. Steiner reached out to Heroes in Action, which was able to send packages to several of their members.

The run will start at 10:30 a.m. at Jefferson Avenue and North St. Clair Street. Runners will trace a large figure-eight through downtown, past One Government Center, the Imagination Station, Fifth Third Field, and the Erie Street Market before finishing at Promenade Park.

The walk will start one block behind from the run's starting point, at Jefferson and Summit Street, and trace the first loop of the run's loose figure-eight.

The three top runners in each of 16 age brackets will receive a medal in the form of a custom-made dog tag, said Mark Peddicord, The Blade's marketing manager and event director. The U.S. Navy Cruisers band, which plays pop music and its own original work, will perform at Promenade Park shortly after the run, at 2:30 p.m. Other activities will include Coast Guard demonstrations and a fly-over by the U.S. Air Force.

"We want this to be a celebration of pride," Mr. Peddicord said.

Participants can register on the day of the event at the Heroes Run registration table inside Promenade Park at the Madison Avenue entrance.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Toledo county, state, and federal government offices will be closed Monday in observance of Independence Day, as will Oregon, Maumee, Perrysburg, and Sylvania city offices. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle deputy registrar sites across the state also will be closed.

A list of select businesses and services follows:

Schools

Owens Community College campuses in Perrysburg Township and Findlay, the Arrowhead Park Learning Center in Maumee, and the Learning Center at the Source in downtown Toledo will be closed Saturday through Monday.

The University of Toledo will have no classes Monday only.

Public utilities

Toledo's Department of Public Utilities will be closed Monday, as will Columbia Gas, Toledo Edison, and its parent company, FirstEnergy. Emergency services are available for Toledo Edison and Columbia Gas customers.

Retail centers

Westfield Franklin Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; Fallen Timbers will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; and Levis Commons will be closed.

Trash pickup

Refuse collection will leap forward one day as scheduled on the calendar for Toledo residents. Collection services in other communities vary.

Libraries

The Main Toledo-Lucas County Public Library downtown and all branches will be closed Monday.

Mail service

Post offices are closed Monday; mail will not be delivered.

Bus service

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority buses will operate on a holiday schedule Monday.

Parking

Meter parking in downtown Toledo will be free Saturday through Monday.

Contact Dan Bethencourt at: dbethencourt@theblade.com or at 419-724-6050.