On September 27, Fort Wayne will hold its first-ever mini-marathon, the 

Fort-4-Fitness! Register and show your support of Fort-4-Fitness—and, as a bonus, Turnstone. If you’re running, walking, or rolling in the race, consider collecting pledges in support of Turnstone’s therapeutic programs. Anyone taking part in the race and collecting pledges for Turnstone will receive a T-shirt to wear on race day. For more information, contact Jennifer Neher, director of development and marketing, at (260) 483-2100 or  jennifer@turnstone.org.

Be our fifth winner to drive off in a classic Corvette! Check out this “Little Red Corvette” in person at the Muddy River Run and Kruse Auction events. 

The winning ticket will be drawn on October 9, 2008. 

To purchase tickets, call Turnstone at (260) 483-2100 or  (866) 483-1278. Visit www.turnstone.org to learn more. 

Tickets fare $10 each, 3 for $25, 7 for $50, and 15 for $100  

Check the specs 

• Approximate value: $69,000 

• Rally  red with black interior, white soft top   

• 4-speed stick with 327-cubic-inch, 300-horsepower engine 

• Matching numbers, owner’s manual, maintenance receipts 

Proceeds Support Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults programs such as: 

• Therapy 

• Adult day services 

• Preschool  and childcare 

• Adaptive Sports and Recreation 

• Case management 

• Health and wellness  center 

• Equipment loan and  residential-ramp building 

On September 3, Turnstone will host  its 28th Annual Golf Outing. This year’s outing will be held at Autumn Ridge Golf Club. For more information, contact Bethany Clapper at (260) 483-2100  or  bethany@turnstone.org. 

Sunday, September 21, 2008 has been set as the date for this years Spinal Cord Injury Walk.  Last year more than 180 people attended the walk and it was a huge success. This year should be even better. It is a great way to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. There will be live music, a silent auction, door prizes, food, and a 5k-fitness walk. The proceeds will benefit spinal cord injury research, advocacy groups and the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group.

Volunteers and sponsors are needed for this event also. Please contact nwiscig@gmail for more information.

A new, roomier venue attracted more than 500 guests to the ninth annual Racing to Recovery Gala that benefited the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation.

For the past few years, the gala had been held at Eddie Merlot’s, but foundation executive director Ida Cahill lobbied for space that was more wheelchair-friendly and big enough so guests could get a good look at the treasure trove of auction items being sold to benefit the foundation.

Most of the guests seemed pleased with the move to the Ritz Charles in Carmel, and the…event raised more than $300,000 for the foundation that funds medical research for spinal cord injury and supports related programs.

Schmidt, a former race car driver, has used a wheelchair since a January 2000 accident during practice in Orlando.

Shortly after the accident, Mari Hulman George endowed professorships at Purdue and Indiana Universities for paralysis research.

The Hulman George family, which owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, received the 2008 Partner for a Cure Award at the event. Schmidt noted that the Hulman George family, without fanfare, helped him in numerous ways following his accident, and that he appreciated their efforts to create the safest environment possible for drivers.

In addition, Mario Andretti received the 2008 Legendary Driver Award.

The auction included numerous items of racing memorabilia and other gifts. Some of the special IMS items were donated by the family of the late Buddy McAtee, who wanted some of his racing relics sold to benefit the foundation.

Driver Danica Patrick donated the racing suit she wore when she won her first IRL race in Japan in April. Performance Tire Service Co. exec Barbara Butz got to take that blue suit home for $15,000.

 As posted by Susan Guyett of the IndyStar 5/25/08