Augusta, KS – More than 875 people participated in Rainbows GLOW Run | Walk Saturday, April 12. Both the glow themed family fun walk and timed 5K took place on city streets. Overall male finisher was Mark Walsh with a time of 20:24 minutes and overall women’s finisher was Heather Lewis with a time of 22:42 minutes.
Age group finishers were:
- Under 12 Ronan Hallacy Madelyn Muhlig
- 13 – 19 Tyler Deviney Sydney Williams
- 20 – 29 Charles Harder Meriel Hartling
- 30 – 39 Ben Bunck Holly Messenger-Young
- 40 – 49 Scott Toom Lynne Smith
- 50 – 59 Steve Hiser Donna Myers
- 60 + Mike Matson Renee Hawkins
- This year’s event featured many children’s activities, glow gear, contests and music. More than 100 volunteers came together in support of the event.
Proceeds of more than $18,400 will benefit children birth – 21 with special needs served through Rainbows’ two Butler County services: Targeted Case Management, and Bright Beginnings Infant/Toddler Services.
“It’s great to see the Butler County community and our Rainbows’ families come out and celebrate together,” said Deb Voth, Rainbows United President. “The city of Augusta was very helpful and welcomed the event.”
Rainbows Run | Walk Sponsors are: Vess Oil Corporation, Parks Motors Parks Chevrolet, Sherwin Williams, Holly Frontier Refinery, Heartland Homecare Services, Inc., Cox Communications, Butler County Times Gazette, KMUW Wichita Public Radio, The Wichita Eagle. Additional sponsors are: Bank SNB, Armfield Dentistry, Art of Life Chiropractic, Air Capitol AMBUCS, C&F Land and Cattle, LLC, Cox Machine, Bob & Kim Stewart, Flinthills Services, Inc., Albert Hogoboom Oilfield Trucking, Inc., Family First Living, The Point Events Center and others.
For more information, contact Michelle Eastman, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at 316.558.3435 or visit RainbowsUnited.org.
Rainbows United, Inc. enhances the lives of children with special needs and their families by bringing together community resources and providing customized services.
MEET LILLYEN FORTINE
When Amber started her daughter Lillyen at EduCare Center, a child care center through Butler Community College, she noticed that Lillyen’s speech was delayed compared to others in her class. When she moved up to another class, her teacher suggested an evaluation. In February of 2012 Lillyen received an evaluation through Rainbows United’s Bright Beginnings Infant/Toddler Services in Butler County.
Amber is an early childhood education major at Butler Community College and knew about Rainbows because she had volunteered for the Smart Start program. Speech Language Pathologist, Kim started visiting Lillyen in the family home until Amber started school in the fall, and then saw Lillyen at EduCare Center. “Kim was really helpful. She sat down and explained what she was working on to me or my husband or whoever was there,” said Amber.
“She gave us a ton of tips to help strengthen Lilly’s jaw muscles.” When Lillyen turned three in December, she was no longer eligible for speech services. Her communication improved greatly with speech therapy and is now age appropriate.
“The best thing is not only her friends in her class can understand her better… but she has been more active and playful,” said Amber. In the past year Lillyen made huge improvements not only with speech but in social skills, too. Lillyen loves art, building things, and princesses.
Amber’s biggest advice to parents is to not be judgmental about having your child evaluated. “It never hurts to be checked,” she said. “It can at least tell you where your child is at and what they can improve on.”
