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Highlands Today

Kids Draw Their Way Into Florida Hospital 5k Run Contest

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: September 30, 2008

SEBRING - About 150 kids and their parents showed up Sunday at Florida Hospital Heartland Division for a chance to become famous.

Youngsters from 5 to 11 years of age worked with crayons in a bid to win the right to have their drawing design chosen to grace the children's T-shirt for the hospital's 5K Run.

At last year's run, the winning shirt designer autographed several shirts. The 2008 T-shirt designer will also have the chance to sign his or her name like a movie star.

The winner of the Kid's Day Art Contest will be chosen by hospital board members. Every entry will hang in the hospital lobby, with access by the general public.

Tim Cook, Florida Heartland Division president and CEO, attended the event with his daughter.

"Even though we take care of sick people, we want to get kids to be productive, and ultimately to keep them healthy," said Cook.

Ronald McDonald, Jeffrey the Giraffe, Highlands County EMS, Sun 'N Lake Fire Department, Home Depot and the Edge Cheer Team all entertained the kids.

Earl Rigdon, development officer, said the event gave the hospital a chance to extend the human ministry of Christ.

"This is an outreach into the community," said Rigdon. "We want the kids to know that you don't just come here when you're sick. We're here to support the community."
Sam White is the Gala chairman and will help judge the T-shirt design contest. He talked about choosing a winner.

"It's not so much artistic talent, but their imagination," said White. "Everybody gets an 'E' for effort, for trying."

Courtney Grubb of Edge Cheer said the team often performs out of town and welcomed the chance to "give people and our supporters in the community a chance to see what goes on."

The Gala 5K race is set to start at 7:30 a.m., at the hospital, located at U.S. 27 and Sun 'n Lake Boulevard, Sunday, Nov. 9. The first 300 registrants receive a belt to display their race number and a long sleeve Dri-Fit T-shirt.

Children participants will receive the contest winning shirt.

There is a $200 cash prize for both men's and women's overall winners, with trophies for all age group winners. Pre-registration is $15 in advance and $25 on the day of the event.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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