Father's Day race honors crash victim

David Beck of North Canton is looking forward to Father's Day.

Only not the way you may think.

Beck and other family members are putting the finishing touches on the second annual Father's Day 5K, which honors the memory of his son Brian Beck, who died in 2009 when he was 20.

''Not only does the race help raise money for the Brian Beck Memorial Scholarship, but it also provides an opportunity for fathers everywhere to spend
time with their children on this very special holiday,'' David Beck said.

Brian Beck, who was the passenger in his own car, died the victim of a drunken driver, a good friend of his.

''It's a very sad story,'' David Beck recounted. ''We lost our son and she's in prison paying for it . . .

''There are still so many unanswered questions.

''It was Friday, Sept. 11, and they were on their way to a party. She was going to leave in a couple of days for Ohio State where she was going to be in the honors program . . . He died Sept. 12 on our wedding anniversary.''

David Beck said he told his wife, Kristen, and their two daughters that they had to turn this negative into a positive, so they have.

In fact, he was inspired by a tattoo his son got when he was 16: Carpe diem, seize the day.

''About 40 of his friends showed up at his funeral with 'Carpe diem' tattoos,'' Beck recalled, adding he now has one and so does his own mother.

''Since we always ran as a family, I thought a race would be the perfect way to honor him.''

This year's race will take place at 8 a.m. June 19 — Father's Day — at GlenOak High School (Bob Commings Field) in Plain Township. Early registration is $20 (deadline is Friday) and race-day registration is $25. There will be food provided by Subway, water, Gatorade, special team categories and a free kids romp at 7:45 a.m.

The first Brian Beck Memorial Scholarship was awarded to GlenOak's Quinn Repp, who will attend the University of Mount Union as a pre-med major.

More information can be found on the Father's Day 5K Facebook page; or call David Beck at 330-592-3322.

Oath of citizenship

The International Institute of Akron is inviting the public to attend the citizenship oath ceremony 10 a.m. Friday at Akron/Summit County Public Library, 66 S. High St., Akron.

U.S. District Judge John Adams will administer the oath of allegiance to 49 new citizens from 22 countries.

Patriotic entertainment will be provided by West Side Vocal Academy youth singers.

Representatives from Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio will
present the U.S. flag.

The Akron Area League of Women Voters will register new citizens to vote.

For more information, please call 330-376-5106, ext. 15.

Pajamas and books

The Eastern Ohio chapter of the Pajama Program is partnering with the Akron Urban League on Friday, July 29, to distribute new pajamas and books to nearly 150 children in its summer day camp.

In order to have enough PJs and books to go around, Patty Gillespie needs our help.

Gillespie, president of the local Pajama Program chapter, is asking individuals, clubs, houses of worship, sororities and fraternities to conduct a pajama/book drive before the giveaway. Children 17 or younger are the target audience.

For more information, please contact Gillespie at patty@pajamaprogram.org or 330-253-5109.

Ready to run

Slippery Rock (Pa.) University senior Anna Thorniley is kicking off her quest to run 1,000 miles to raise $10,000 for children at Akron Rotary Camp.

The camp offers children and adults with disabilities the chance to experience friendship and outdoor summer excitement. ''The children who attend the camp struggle each day just to do activities such as tying their shoes or zipping a jacket,'' Thorniley said. ''They push themselves and it inspires me to push myself.

''They work so hard to do simple tasks and they challenge themselves every single day. I want to honor them by challenging myself to run 1,000 miles in one year.

''The cost of doctor's visits, medication and assisted devices make it hard for parents to find the extra money to send their children to camp.''

Last year's camp hosted 1,122 children and adults with disabilities for various programs and 400 campers and families who participated in respite weekends.

Interested in helping Anna reach her goal? Please call the Akron Rotary Camp at at 330-644-4512 and pledge to sponsor a mile. Support her Saturday as she begins the first leg of her challenge by running 10 miles from Akron Rotary Camp to Camp Y-Noah. Follow her progress at http://www.akronymca.org/RotaryCampBranchStories.aspx.