SHAMOKIN - Teamwork, pride in America and respect for the military personnel who protect our freedoms were prominently on display Saturday in the Shamokin area as Citizens for a Better Community joined forces with "Amazing Coal Cracker Race" coordinator Peach Krebs and long-time car cruise organizer John "Skip" Rabuck to raise more than $1,600 for Cpl. David A. Noblit Jr. of Herndon, who lost both his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in October.
"Phenomenal" was the word used by Krebs in
describing the seventh annual "Amazing Coal Cracker Race" that began at 9 a.m. at the Fireman's Memorial at Independence and Market streets. The approximate three-hour race covered an estimated seven miles and included 13 teams running through the community while searching for clues at local businesses and landmarks.
Krebs said this year's race focused more on challenging roadblocks and detours, rather than the actual distance involved in running the race.
Krebs and her sister, Mary Lenig, participated in "The Amazing Race" reality show on CBS in 2001 and designed the local race based on their experiences on the show.
The team of Tyler James, Cortlyn Appel, Matt Schell and Abby James sponsored by James' Pizza won the race for the second consecutive year and received $500 donated by Peach and Company Salon, Shamokin. "It was harder this year than last year," Tyler James commented after the race. "Our strategy was to have the whole team stick together and figure the clues out before we started running."
The second-place team known as "Double Dorks" consisted of Janessa Kosmer and Marissa Herb, who were awarded $100 donated by Earl Sheriff, owner of Irish Isle Provision Co.
Krebs said the race itself earned $600, while an anonymous racer donated another $600, bringing the total donation for Noblit to $1,200. The money from the race along with more than $400 raised by Citizens for a Better Community during Saturday's festivities was presented to Noblit's parents.
"It was a really good race," Krebs said. "I was happy to give the participants the same type of experience Mary (Lenig) and I had on the show. I want to thank all the participants and volunteers who helped me organize the race, especially my husband, Terry Krebs, Amy Barnes and Larry Strausser (aquatic facility operator at the Lawton Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool)."
Krebs also praised the efforts of personnel at the Coal Township Recycling Center and Gloria Zielinskie and other local business owners for helping develop clues about the race.
Richard Jilinski and John Arnold, president and vice president, respectively, of Citizens for a Better Community (CBC), were pleased with the turnout in the downtown district, where vendors sold merchandise, food and drinks, firefighters displayed an aerial truck and other equipment, a disc jockey played music and spectators walked between Liberty and Eighth streets admiring approximately 70 classic cars and trucks and one lawn tractor.
"Everybody worked together toward a common goal," Arnold said. "The race went very well and we were able to raise a good amount of money for Cpl. Noblit," Jilinski added.
Rabuck organized the "Cruise for Heroes" that started at Trakks in Kulpmont at noon and traveled through Strong, Natalie, Bear Gap, Elysburg, Paxinos and Coal Township before ending on Independence Street in Shamokin, where they were displayed from 1 to 4 p.m.
"We had great weather and cooperation from everyone involved in the cruise," Rabuck said. "I want to especially thank members of the Citizens for a Better Community and all the police departments. We had a great turnout."
Rabuck said a significant amount of canned goods also were collected in conjunction with the cruise that will be donated to Manna for Many and the Salvation Army. Rabuck particularly praised the efforts of teachers and students at Shamokin Area Elementary School and Shamokin Area Annex for collecting the canned goods.
Rabuck said all the cruise participants and members of CBC were invited by Ernie Delbo, owner of Trakks, to hear a band play at his Kulpmont business from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to the food and refreshments offered during the cruise, free gifts from the American Legion Auxiliary were available and a special Chinese auction was held with gifts for car enthusiasts.
CBC will be holding roadside collections today on Route 61 at Pool World and Len's Automotive, and Second and Independence streets in preparation for the annual city fireworks display presented by Citizens Fireworks Inc. at 9:40 p.m. today.
The donations will benefit the 2012 display. This year's 25-minute display is paid in full.