SQ athletes came out to support the Special Olympics with a torch run and a polar plunge this winter in the Lower Yard and the Baptistery at San Quentin.
The 1000 Mile Club gave $500 to the Special Olympics fund, and SQ’s general population added another $190. Track supporter and resident Tommy Wikerd and his wife, Marion, chipped in another $390. Their total was to be added to the $8,000 that the San Quentin staff provided, all of which will give opportunities to 19 Special Olympics participants to attend camp.
“The beautiful view outside and the amazing architecture matches the wonderful people on the Lower Yard,” said Alicia Ruiz, a volunteer for the Special Olympics, making her first visit to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center on the final day of February.
San Quentin Warden Chance Andes and Julian Ash, the son of San Quentin’s Doctor Ash, led all participants on the ceremonial first lap while taking turns carrying the Special Olympics Torch.
Warden Andes said during his pre-event address that he was excited and happy about the participation of both residents and staff in the gathering.
The 1000 Mile Club volunteers also made a large contribution to the success of the occasion as a result of their expertise coordinating and executing an event of this type.
In addition to the Special Olympics fundraiser, the 1000 Mile Club was holding a 5K run, one of its monthly sanctioned events.
According to Special Olympics representative Stephanie Bruggeman, the organization serves approximately 31,000 participants in Northern California, hosting team tournaments while working with local school districts to help the developmentally disabled stay engaged and involved with the community.
“I was about five-and-a-half minutes off of my fastest pace,” said Captain Robberecht, an avid runner who competes in a marathon every December.
“It’s definitely for a good cause,” said Correctional Officer Lopez, who was participating in his second 1000 Mile Club event after running nine miles in the 15th annual Frank Ruona Marathon last November.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Librarian Ms. Tarantino. “It was heartening to see the level of participation.”
“It was fun to support an outside agency while watching the residents getting exercise while doing it,” said ADA coordinator Sylvia Amador.
“I didn’t know about the Special Olympics Torch Run,” said resident Andrew Kramer, “Running builds a sense of brotherhood. Now I look for who’s wearing Hokas (the running shoe company that supports SQRC’s 1000 Mile Club).”
“I had fun and I’m always trying to beat my personal best,” said Robert Drop, who had heard rumors of the Special Olympics Torch Run.
After the 5K run was completed, everyone who wanted to participate in the Polar Plunge trekked up to the chapel courtyard. Earlier in the day, kitchen staff put approximately 250 pounds of ice in to the Baptistery as chapel staff filled it with cold water.
After Colby Phillips submerged himself in the near-freezing mixture of water and ice, 24 other residents followed. Resident Ethan Blaser compared the experience to jumping through a hole cut in the ice of the Saginaw River in Michigan, where he grew up.
Captain Robberecht related his building a plunge tub out of an old chest freezer that he used every day for the past 35 days in preparation for this event and for the San Quentin staff plunge scheduled for the following day.
“Just the fact [that] together the 1000 Mile Club and residents were able to help two Special Olympians attend their training is remarkable,” said Tommy Wikard.
Warden Andes and some of the staff are looking forward to running in the upcoming annual torch run over the Golden Gate Bridge.
“Anything we can do to help our Special Olympians is an honor,” said Andes.
