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The Board Members of the Calumet Region Striders voted to amend our Bob Stevens Disabled Runner Fund at our monthly board meeting conducted on August 9, 2006. In Jennie Hamilton's memory and honor, the Bob Stevens Disabled Runner Fund of the Calumet Region Striders will be renamed and recognized as the Stevens-Hamilton Disabled Runner Fund. It was originally created from the efforts of the Chicagoland running community to assist Bob's family with the financial challenges they faced as a result of a cycling accident. It is with sorrow and a deep feeling of loss that we add her name to our fund. We were gifted with the opportunity to meet her, know her, and compete with her. For those who have not received word, Jennie Hamilton passed away on August 6, 2006. Jennie spent most of her life in Northwest Indiana, but all of her life involved in sports and physical activities. Her competitive nature and inner drive was apparent at an early age and continued on throughout her 26 years in activities like swimming, softball, and running. She always found a way to incorporate exercise and fitness into her daily routine. Jennie received her degree from Purdue University Calumet in Health, Fitness, and Nutrition which lead to her career at the NISOURCE Fitness Center. Along with being a competitive running member of Calumet Region Strider, she also participated in triathlons and adventure races. She spent her last moments doing something she loved; being outside participating in physical activity, training for the Wisconsin Ironman. Jennie and a friend were out on an easy twenty mile bike ride in Valparaiso when the accident occurred. Jennie was a very modest about her successes, but even more so about the physical challenges she faced her entire life. Born premature, she came into this world a fighter and departed the same way. She had multiple congenital heart defects including holes, a leaking valve, and dialated/enlarged right side. Just last September Jennie underwent surgery to repair the two holes. Her physical ability reached new heights in 2006, and she was out on the course shattering her old PR's and taking on new challenges. Jennie Hamilton will live on in many ways. Her family wanted it known that she was an organ donor, and was able to extend the lives of four others in this world. She will also live on in countless newspaper articles boasting of her outstanding results, in photos surrounded by loved ones, and in thoughts and fond memories of those she touched. Within Calumet Region Striders, her name will remain. Please remember both Bob and Jennie through the Stevens-Hamilton Disabled Runner Fund. With Gratitude, BOB "BIRD" STEVENS FUND LIVES ON THROUGH CRS by Mel Muchnik It is hard to believe that two years have passed since that fateful day when Bob "Bird" Stevens, President of the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club, and a member of the Calumet Region Striders, flew over his handle bars in a forest preserve, and suffered an unbelievable accident that left him paralyzed, and ultimately took his life 15 months later. The response of the running communities throughout Chicago southland and northwest Indiana, and well beyond, was nothing short of extraordinary. Our running club (The Park Forest RPC) created a trust fund, acting as a funnel to numerous drives to assist Bob and his wife Althea. In all, more than $40,000 was contributed to the fund, and another substantial amount before the Fund was ever established was sent to Althea directly for an account the family established. Now our work is done, but the legacy and the efforts will continue through the continuing fund established by CRS in Bob's name. A check for the balance of the fund was presented to Jean Tolchinsky, CRS President, at the Midwinter Frolic in Park Forest on January 9. And I would be remiss if I did not cite the glorious efforts of Shirley Kowalisyn and the many, many of you in CRS who raised money in so many different ways. The fund was enormously successful in raising substantial funds from a generous Chicago area running community, participation by many running clubs throughout Chicago and beyond, notably the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club and the Calumet Region Striders. Our expenditures included money to assist Bob during his ordeal in the year following the accident, complete payment of all funeral expenses, major financial assistance to Althea to help her and Bob survive the financial drain and then to restart her life, a bench/tree/monument in Murphy Park across from the Woods entrance (location within to be identified by Village landscape architect in coordination with former Trustees), and a major contribution to the CRS Bob Stevens Fund for Disabled Runners, whose goals for continuity are identical to those established by the Fund. Most importantly, we honored Bob, in life and now in eternity. He was more than our President. To our Bird, our friend and the eternal Emperor of the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club. Mel Muchnik, President Trustees:
Note: Mel Muchnik is the familiar voice we hear at the start and finish of many area races large and small, from the Merrillville Hospital Hustle, April Fool's Run in Park Forest (created by Althea and Bob Stevens), the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago , and the Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon. He is an active member of the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club. Application for Stevens-Hamilton Disabled Runner Fund Assistance If you would like to contribute, please make your check out to: Calumet Region Striders and send to: CRS |
