Snow Didn’t Stop Season’s Last Jingle Bell Runs

With predicted snowfalls in the double digits and winter storm warnings covering much of Wisconsin, many were concerned that the Wisconsin Chapter’s Jingle Bell Runs scheduled for Saturday might not happen. With rescheduling at such a late date impossible, organizers pressed on encouraging others to be safe and practice WI winter weather caution. Those who were able to make it to their local event were not disappointed.

In some areas the blizzards held off and had just the right amount of snow while others got dumped on. All events had participants who made it out for a good cause bringing their Jingle Bell Run spirits. Many felt it was an important event to raise awareness.

“There are over 100 forms of arthritis that affect men, women and children. Our honoree this year is only 4 years old. She’s got rheumatoid arthritis and she’s going to have it her whole life and have an injection every single week,” Judy Miyagawa, Southwest, District Director, told WMSN-TV News at the 25th annual Jingle Bell Run in Madison, WI.

At the run people tie jingle bells to their shoes and many wear holiday-themed costumes as they hit the pavement for a good cause. The Jingle Bell Run is a fun, festive way to kick off the holidays while raising awareness and funds for programs that support the 1 in 5 Americans who battle arthritis.

“It is a serious disease, it effects a huge portion of our population, the population that it effects is only getting greater and greater. It’s not decreasing, and with awareness they will talk about it,” Laura Libert, Northeast WI District Director, told WAOW News at the Wausau, WI, Jingle Bell Run.

Laura also spoke with WSAW News, “This is the 9th Jingle Bell Run/Walk here at Wausau, on a very snowy day. I’ve been doing this for 15 years and this is the first time we’ve had this kind of substantial snowfall for a Jingle Bell Run.”

Participants  were welcomed back from their run/walk with hot chocolate, a warm bowl of soup and warm spirits.

The last of the 2010 WI Jingle Bell Runs will be remembered for the blizzard conditions of the weekend but they will also be remembered for the amazing people who came together to make it happen. The sponsors, volunteers, donors and participants are what make every Jingle Bell Run event a success year after year.

Click on links below to check out scenes across snowy Wisconsin:

In Wausau, WI:

News Coverage by WAOW- Newsline 9, Patrick Manning- Jingle Bell run – WAOW – Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports.

News Coverage by WSAW- News, Casey O’Halloran- Hundreds Bundle Up For Jingle Bell Run.

In Madison, WI:

News Coverage by-WMSN FOX 47 :: Newsroom – Top Stories – Thousands raise money for Jingle Bell Run.

In Eau Claire, WI:

News Coverage by WQOW- News, Kevin Keen-Hundreds lace up for a run in the snow – WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports.

We were also on WI and MI border in Menominee, MI:

Northeast District’s page on Facebook: Facebook

Tags: Arthritis, Jingle Bell Run, snow, Wisconsin