Pubdate: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 Source: Daily News, The (Longview, WA) Copyright: 2006 The Daily News Contact: http://www.tdn.com/forms/letters.php Website: http://www.tdn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2621 Author: Christy Caballero Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) COLD WEATHER DOESN'T DETER RUN OR FUN AT FUND-RAISER RAINIER - A common cause drew people to the Red Ribbon Run on Saturday - to run hard, or stand fast, or maybe even make a big splash for the right reason -- keeping youth drug-free. A total of 76 runners and walkers, whose entry fees help support Rainier Together Coalition's anti-drug programs, took part in the Red Ribbon Run. Participants, who were from all around Northwest Oregon, could go on a 5K run, a 3K walk/run or a 1K walk/run. About 50 more community members and representatives from various organizations participated and supported the even. "We started three years ago, in honor of Red Ribbon Week," said Marleen Zytniowski, Rainier Together Coalition chair. "It's gotten a little bit bigger each year; we really have fun." Fun is in the eye of the beholder, and fund-raising can take some gritty volunteers, especially when the temperature drops, and water for the dunk tank comes straight out of the garden hose. Rainier High School Vice Principal John Gummell was dripping wet and refused to shiver as he shouted "Is that all you got?" at the teen holding the third ball, waiting to throw, already two-for-two for dunking him. Lots of dunks later, dried off, in a warm coat, Gummell said, "After I got dunked the first time, I kept thinking 'This is for a GOOD cause' but hey, to bring the issue of drug abuse resistance to the forefront, I'd get wet every day." The Oregon National Guard's booth had a ringside view of the dunk tank. "There's no way on God's green earth you'd be getting me into that bad boy," said Sgt. Robert Vickey of Portland. "I like staying warm; that's why I'm wearing a field jacket." But he was all about the common cause. "We do prevention programs for middle and high school programs throughout the state. ... This event has grown since last year, and that's always encouraging," he said. "Now I've got to get ready to run." Booths for United Way, St. Helens Police Department, and various other agencies and ministries were set up at the event. A sand castle-building competition was ongoing, making sure there was something for everyone. Robert Peabody, a Rainier High School senior, also did time in the dunk tank and then ran the 5K -- in his dunk tank clothes. "Yes, and my shorts are wet and I'm chafing," he said. But asked about a quote for the cause, he said, "Don't do drugs! That's my motto." Fabian Petri may qualify as the entrant from farthest away -- the student attends Neah-Kah-Nie School District near Cannon Beach, Ore., as an exchange student from Germany. "I enjoyed today; it was cool," he said. His cross country coach, Dan Kamerer, said Rainier had a beautiful course. "It was exciting to see different levels of competition -- adults with kids -- that motivation thing," he said. "An overall successful day." John Freeman of Rainier Together Coalition said he was delighted so many people showed up to support the event. "I'm especially pleased to see how many people were willing to be dunked in COLD water on a COLD day to support keeping kids off drugs." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek