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Posts Tagged ‘fundraiser’

Runners zip across the prairie

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , , , , on August 9, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Henry Purdue, seen here during his 8th grade track season, finished 2nd in the 5K at Saturday’s Race the Reserve. (Kelly Powers photo)

They came, they saw, they put in some mileage.

The 2026 edition of Race the Reserve lured 350 runners out to the prairie Saturday for a fundraiser devoted to funneling money to Coupeville’s next graduating class.

From out of that pack, 152 competitors participated in the 5K, with 106 hitting the tape in the 10K and 92 more taking on the half marathon.

The top three runners hailed from different towns, with Dylan Kent of Langley claiming top honors in the day’s longest race.

He was joined by Joshua Knight from Longmont, Colorado (10K) and Trenton Mueller of Woodinville (5K) in the winner’s circle, with Coupeville High School runners Cyrus Sparacio and Henry Purdue finishing second in those races.

Overall, Wolf runners nabbed five of the top 10 spots in the two shorter races, with Ossian Merkel, Archer Schwarz, and Colton Ashby also defending their home turf.

Cyrus Sparacio, fast in the spring, fast in the summer. (Julie Wheat photo)

 

The top five in each event:

 

Half Marathon:

Dylan Kent (1st) 1:24:26.30
Abiam Melendez (2nd) 1:27:17.34
Jesse Ewing-Frable (3rd) 1:28:54.92
Robb Ellis (4th) 1:31:47.73
Liam Walsh (5th) 1:37:15.89

 

10K:

Joshua Knight (1st) 35:46.29
Cyrus Sparacio (2nd) 38:24.26
Ossian Merkel (3rd) 43:57.56
Alexandra Laiblin (4th) 44:37.94
Kathryn Merrill (5th) 46:25:77

 

5K:

Trenton Mueller (1st) 19:39.25
Henry Purdue (2nd) 20:03.02
Archer Schwarz (3rd) 20:39.04
Colton Ashby (4th) 20:39.39
Travis Dotson (5th) 21:12.75

 

Want to see all the results? Pop over to:

https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/75105/#resultSetId-677082;perpage:100

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Race the Reserve almost here

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , , on August 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Aleksia Jump (and support crew) celebrate after the 2024 edition of Race the Reserve. (Photo courtesy Christina Jump) 

It’s the final countdown.

Cue up some Europe on the soundtrack and batten down the hatches, as Race the Reserve is just six days away.

The biggest fundraiser for Coupeville High School’s seniors, this year’s event goes down Saturday, August 8, and features a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.

You can still register up to the day of the race or get all your paperwork done now and be prepared in advance.

Once launched, Race the Reserve will raise money for the Class of 2027, with proceeds “supporting safe and sober graduation activities.”

 

For more info, or to register, pop over to:

Home

 

To volunteer at the event, check out:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0448A9AF2DA0FFC61-62841214-consessions?useFullSite=false

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Race the Reserve seeks volunteers

Posted in Fundraisers, Running, tagged , , , , on July 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Sherry Bonacci (left) and Aimee Bishop get runners fired up.

Race the Reserve, the biggest fundraiser for Coupeville High School’s senior class, hits the prairie Saturday, August 8 this year.

The annual event, which raises money for “safe and sober graduation activities,” features a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, with runners rambling through the scenic views of Ebey’s National Historic Reserve.

While parents of students from the CHS Class of 2027 are at the forefront of things, they need a pack of volunteers to help pull things off.

If you’re interested in kicking off a new school year in style, you can sign up by popping over to:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0448A9AF2DA0FFC61-62841214-consessions?useFullSite=false

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Former Wolf needs support of Island community

Posted in Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on July 22, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Brianna Wells-Watson

Friends and family have launched a GoFundMe to help the daughter of my former landlord after a traumatic health issue.

Brianna Wells-Watson, who attended Coupeville schools, lived right above my Penn Cove-facing duplex for many years, including when her late mom Sandy was my go-to person for paying rent.

Brianna, who has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, suffered a heart attack July 16, caused by familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol and significantly increases the risk of early heart disease.

Emergency surgery to remove a critical blockage in her left anterior descending coronary artery saved her life, but she has lost approximately 10% of her heart function.

Brianna is also dealing with other health challenges, including lupus, Hashimoto’s disease, and adenomyosis, while her husband is epileptic and had major reconstructive surgery just three months ago.

After the heart attack, she “faces a long road of healing that includes cardiology appointments, cardiac rehabilitation, medications, lifestyle changes, and most importantly, reducing stress so her heart has the best chance to recover.”

The GoFundMe was set up in an effort to help the family deal with overwhelming medical costs as well as daily expenses for a family of four.

“Instead of another heartbreaking story, let’s make this one a story of hope, compassion, and neighbors coming together to lift up one of our own just like our wonderful community does!” wrote the creators of the fundraiser.

“For more than 20 years, Brianna has dedicated her life to caring for others. She has spent her career comforting patients, supporting families, and showing up every day with kindness, strength, and compassion.

“Together, we can turn this frightening chapter into a story of hope, love, and a community that refused to let one of its own face this battle alone.”

 

For more info and to help out, pop over to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/oak-harbor-rallies-for-briannas-healing-journey

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Fundraiser launched to help young football player

Posted in Football, Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on July 17, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Georgie Blaine (center) and family.

A fundraiser has been launched to help a Whidbey family whose 14-year-old son is battling a brain tumor.

Georgie Blaine, a key member of a league title-winning Oak Harbor youth football team which included several Coupeville players this past fall, suffered a seizure while in Florida on vacation.

Doctors performed emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, and the family’s five-day trip turned into a 25-day stay in the Sunshine State filled “with hospital visits, hotel expenses, rental-car charges, fear, and uncertainty.”

Because Georgie was not medically permitted to fly, the family had to return to Washington state by driving.

He is undergoing chemotherapy and treatment at Children’s Hospital in Seattle, requiring the family to rent an apartment in the city for three to four months while “dealing with missed work, food, fuel, parking, transportation, medical expenses, and the cost of maintaining their home in Oak Harbor.”

Georgie’s parents Sara and George have deep roots locally, with mom having worked as a labor and delivery nurse for 20+ years, while dad has been a coach for football, basketball, soccer, and baseball teams.

Friends of the family have launched a GoFundMe with a goal of $10,000 to help Georgie, his two younger brothers, and his parents, and you can read more and donate by hopping over to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-georgie-fight-his-brain-tumor-and-return-to-football

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