Village Striders Reach for the Beach

Front row (L-R): Jody Lambert, Joanne McCormick, Berta Andrulis, Sue Leigh, Theresa Simaitis, Denise Raap; back row: Brian McCormick, Roger Newbury, Bill Andrulis, Tim McCaffrey, Brian Gildea

I am writing to share with you some information about an exciting adventure I am involved in with 11 others from Litchfield. We are the Village Striders, a team of local runners who have come together to train and prepare for participation in the Reach the Beach Relay. This relay is the longest running relay race in the United States. It will take place in New Hampshire, beginning in Bretton Woods and finishing 200 miles away at Hampton Beach. Each member of our relay team will run three legs of varying lengths and difficulty and will cover an average total distance of 16.6 miles. Runners will rotate in a set order once the race begins and we will continue for over 24 hours in order to Reach the Beach! The event will be held September 27-28.

We have a great group of individuals who comprise our team and support crew. They include Joanne and Jim Moore, Roger and Sue Newbury, Mike and Theresa Simaitis, Bill and Carol Andrulis Joanne and Brian McCormick, Sue and Jeff Leigh, Jody and Dave Lambert, Tim McCaffrey, Denise and Greg Raap, Nancy Butts, Margaret and Brian Gildea.

It has been an extraordinary experience for all of us as we anticipate the relay. We have all made a commitment to doing our best, having fun and fulfilling a very special goal. Our ultimate inspiration for this is a young lady named Alicia Townsend. Alicia is 17 years old and is the niece of team members Michael and Theresa Simaitis. In February of this year, Alicia underwent brain surgery for the removal of a cyst. Subsequently she suffered severe complications. She spent more than six weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at Yale New Haven, was then transferred to a hospital in New York, and then returned to Connecticut and stayed at Gaylord Hospital. She is home now and is faced with extensive complications and intensive rehabilitation for many years. It is our goal to raise funds to benefit Alicia and her family with their daily and long-term needs. We know that we will be inspired by Alicia's spirit every step of the way through New Hampshire.

On Saturday, September 7 at 7 p.m. we are holding a Wine Social and Fundraiser at the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd. (Route 202) in Litchfield. It will be a festive occasion for sure! We welcome others to share in our effort to make a difference for Alicia. If you would like more info about the fundraiser, or if you may be interested in making a donation, feel free to call me at 860-567-2100.