Walk organizers raise $11,000 for scholarship funds
WAYNESBURG — The sponsors and organizers of the 2011 Heroes Run/Walk presented the families of two Greene County servicemen killed in Iraq with more than $11,000 to benefit memorial scholarship funds established in the men’s honor.
The fifth annual Heroes Run/Walk, held Sept. 17 along the Greene River Trail, raised $11,196.55 for memorial funds established in the names of Army Spc. Gregory Cox of Carmichaels and Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips of Spraggs, both of whom were killed in Humvee accidents in Iraq. Cox, 21, died in September 2004, and Phillips, 27, died in February 2006. More than 300 runners and walkers turned out for the event.
The proceeds from Heroes Run are divided equally between the Cox and Phillips families, who coordinate the race with the Greene County Department of Recreation. The disbursement to each family from the 2011 race is $5,598.27.
“For five years, we have been consistently touched by the outpouring of support for Heroes Run and the affection for this cause,” said Greene County Commissioner Pam Snyder, chairwoman of the board of commissioners. “Last year was yet another successful race, and we anticipate many more as we continue to honor the memories and service of these two men.”
The commissioners and representatives from the Heroes Run/Walk committee presented checks to John Cox and Paulette Phillips during the commissioners’ regular meeting Thursday. Last November, representatives from Wal-Mart, the major sponsor of the 2011 race, presented the families with its annual donation of $2,500.
John and Mary Anne Cox have earmarked the full $5,598.27 for their son’s scholarship fund. The Spc. Gregory A. Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund assists Greene County high school graduates entering the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or the fields of public safety or public service.
Jim and Paulette Phillips have designated their disbursement be split to make two donations. The Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips Memorial Fund — which provides support for the computer-aided drafting program at the Greene County Career and Technology Center — will receive $4,478.63, and $1,119.65 will be donated to the Greene County Veterans Council to support van drivers transporting county veterans to the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System clinic in Pittsburgh.
The two memorial funds are handled by the Community Foundation of Greene County.
The sixth annual Heroes Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, along the Greene River Trail. T-shirts from the 2011 race are still available for sale to benefit the memorial funds. Shirts are $10 each, and sizes are limited. For more information or to purchase a 2011 Heroes Run T-shirt, call the commissioners’ office at 724-852-5210 or the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.