Ferdinand, IN– At 9:00 a.m. (EST) on November 11, 2014, at the Monastery Immaculate Conception, Sisters and key partners for the Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo and the Family Scholar House gathered around as proceeds from the second annual Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo were awarded to the Sisters of St. Benedict. Kevin Manley and Chris Welp, both DC Multisport board members and committee members for the cycling event, presented a check in the amount of $5,615 to Sister Barbara C. Schmitz, Sisters of the Monastery Immaculate Conception and representatives for the Family Scholar House Program. 

Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo sponsors and community partners were thanked, including Dubois County Visitors Center; Randy Norris Mind, Body, & Spirit Community Foundation Endowment; and Jasper Engines & Transmissions. Their support and generosity made this event and charitable donation possible. 

After completion of the Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo, the committee was very pleased with the feedback that the cyclists gave about the great routes showcased during the ride. Eighty-eight cyclists participated in this second year event. Participants came from Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana.  

Proceeds from the event were given to the Sisters of St. Benedict for their Family Scholar House program. The Family Scholar House is changing lives, families and communities through education, case management, family support, and eventually, housing, for qualifying single-parents. Their mission is to end the cycle of poverty and transform our community by empowering families and youth to succeed in education and achieve life-long self-sufficiency. Currently, the Sisters of St. Benedict’s Family Scholar House program is helping sixty-five families.

DC Multisport has had a successful 2014, completing four events this year, including the third annual Heartland Half Marathon—5K, the second annual Dubois County Youth Triathlon, the annual Strassenfest Bicycle Ride, and the second annual Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo cycling event. 

DC Multisport’s mission is to promote Health & Wellness while giving back to our communities. To achieve a more philanthropic role, each event has a benefactor with proceeds going to a charitable cause. Along with the Ferdinand Folk Fest Fondo proceeds of $5,615 given to the Sisters of St. Benedict, recently, DC Multisport presented a check to the Lange Fuhs Cancer Center and the Phillip R. Dawkins Heart & Vascular Center from Heartland Half Marathon’s proceeds, totaling $23,603. The Dubois County Youth Triathlon’s benefactor was Mentors for Youth, and DC Multisport was able to present a check for $750 from the proceeds of that event. In total, DC Multisport has been able to give $67,579.92 to community causes since its first event, the 2012 Heartland Half Marathon. 

Photo caption: (Shown left to right) Ann Hopf, RN, Cardiopulmonary Services; Martie Bickwermert, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services; Kevin Manley, Treasurer of DC Multisport; Angela Hoagland, Director of Pharmacy and Oncology Services; Dr. Adam Dawkins; Dr. Geoffrey Day; and Lisa Wallace, Heartland Half Marathon Committee Member.


Heartland Half Marathon & 5K Proceeds Presented to Memorial Hospital

Jasper – On Wednesday, October 29, Kevin Manley, Treasurer of DC Multisport, presented checks totaling $23,603 to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s Martie Bickwermert, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services, and Angela Hoagland, Director of Pharmacy and Oncology Services. This money was raised through the Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge events held on August 30 and coordinated by DC Multisport, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness while giving back to the local communities.

Proceeds given to the Phillip R. Dawkins Heart & Vascular Center will be used to support a dedicated nutritionist/dietitian to help patients in cardiac rehabilitation make healthy changes in their lifestyles and habits. Past proceeds were used to purchase new equipment for the unit and educational information for a resource library for patients in cardiac rehab. Proceeds given to the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center will be used towards developing Integrative Medicine programs including massage therapy, women’s support groups, men’s support groups, and various other programs that address the body, mind, and spirit of cancer patients and their families.

Proceeds from the Heartland Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Challenge are also made possible through generous donations by local businesses including: Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center; Heartland Cardiology Associates; Walmart; NewsNew DC; StarStruck DJ Service; The Timbers of Jasper; Dubois County Visitors Center; Fit Together; German American Bancorp; Matrix Integration; OFS Brands; Old National Bancorp; Stens; Southwest Indiana Orthopaedics and Spine Associates; Velpen Trucking & Disposal Co.; Eckert’s Pool Supply; Obermeyer Honda Yamaha Suzuki; Uebelhor & Sons; Wabash Valley Produce; Birk Corporation; Farbest Foods; Freedom Bank; Indiana Furniture; Ewing Printing; 101 Country WBDC; Aaron’s Rental Center; Ackerman Oil; Becher-Kluesner Funeral Homes; CVS Pharmacy; SERVUS; Dubois County Tire & Supply; Eck-Mundy Associates; Finishing Touches; Gunderson Eyecare; H. Properties; Jasper Obstetrics & Gynecology; REM Bicycle Center; State Farm Insurance – Debbie K. Allen; Tierra-Derco International; Tretter Physical Therapy; Uebelhor Oil; Werner Sawmill; and Woods Printing Company.

This was the third year for this event which is held annually in Jasper during Labor Day weekend. New for this year was the Kids Fun Run and Festival and Team Challenge. For information on next year’s event, go to www.heartlandhalfmarathon.com.