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Uploaded: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 5:02 PM
Hats off to 'Sparky' George
Man will make one last run for families of soldiers who gave their all
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by Dolores Fox Ciardelli
Photos
 
| "Sparky" George Cave will lead one last run in Danville this Saturday to raise money for the families of fallen soldiers.
Sparky has been running six miles a night, five nights a week with a 5-pound weight pack since Sept. 15, 2002, and has run over 12,000 miles and counting for Hats Off America, a nonprofit organization that raises money for and awareness of the families of soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. As he runs, he chants the names of those who have given their lives in the service of their country.
Sparky, who has been in business in San Ramon for many years, finds it necessary to close his automobile repair business, due to the declining economy, and is unable to continue to financially support Hats Off America.
The 18th Hats Off America Red T-Shirt 10K Run/5K Run or Walk will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at Sycamore Valley Park, 2101 Holbrook Drive, Danville, rain or shine. Entry fee is $35 per person. There is no entry fee for volunteers. All runners and volunteers will receive a red T-shirt, and lunch.
At this final Hats Off America event, everyone is welcome to join George, the Bear Flag Runner and a Vietnam-era Marine, to show support for the service men and women and the families of military who have given their lives for our country.
This Saturday is also a chance to meet the Gold Star Family, the Arroyaves, and let them know that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Hats Off America will be dividing up the remaining proceeds between four Gold Star families. The complete story is posted at www.hatsoffamerica.us.
All Hats Off America's fundraising efforts are directed to providing assistance to women with children, currently Rachelle Arroyave (who has received $19,600), mother of three children, ages 4-1/2, 8 and 12. Rachelle's husband USMC Staff Sgt. Jimmy Arroyave died April 15, 2004, during his second deployment to the Middle East. He died near Ar Ramadi, Iraq, after serving in the Marine Corps for 10-1/2 years, and he had planned on being a career Marine.
For information, to register or volunteer, contact Sparky George at 855-1950 or thebearflagrunner@yahoo.com. Hats Off America is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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| Comments
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Posted by 66th Engineers, Viet Nam, a resident of another community, on Nov 4, 2009 at 6:21 pm Dear Dolores,
I shall never understand WAR, but I celebrate service to families of those that serve. May we always try to create no more veterans of foreign wars. May we celebrate a world in peace with humanity and justice for all.
Hal
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Posted by Marie, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 7:02 am Hal: we are a free country because we fight the bad guys no matter where they are! You should understand free speech with all of the posting you do at this site!
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Posted by Diane, a member of the San Ramon Valley High School community, on Nov 5, 2009 at 2:04 pm Hal, ditto. I could not have said it better myself.
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Posted by Marie, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:11 am Unfortunately, you can’t have both. There will always be “bad” people. We need to be ready to protect ourselves and others that need our help and sometimes that means war. To celebrate service families means you support them and what they are doing.
Hal: What do you mean “foreign wars”? Do you know what happened in our own country yesterday?
God bless the Fort Hood victims and thank you to all who serve to keep us safe and provide us with as much peace as possible.
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Posted by Deb Argel-Bastian, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2009 at 5:53 pm As the mother of one of the fallen that Sparky honored in his last run today, I send my heartfelt thanks. My son, Capt. Derek Argel was killed on Memorial Day of 2005. He leaves behind a little son. Today, Sparky reminded our little grandson that his father is not forgotten. The children of our fallen have wounds that can't been seen and can't be talked about. In the wonderful example that Sparky has set, please don't forget our fallen and their children.
Blessings,
Deb Argel-Bastian
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Posted by Sparky George, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 8:16 am As a 3-year old throw away child, I learned at an early age the saddness of not having a parent, let alone two and how hard it is to grow up without focus and direction. I was lucky in the sense that I would not let this hold me back. My motto has always been: "Matters not where you come from, matters what you did with the life you were given."
Have you heard the expression: "Cowboy up”? Especially at this moment, as I end over 7 years and over 12,000 miles as I get ready for my nightly run, it has never been truer. Cowboy up refers to the fact that each day you get out to do your chores early in the morning. Your chores may last 10 hours. But there are neighbors out there who are in the need of help. No matter how tired and drained you are, you, cowboy up, go out there to help a family in need even if you are in pain and you drag your self out of the tub after midnight, so you can do it all over again tomorrow. No bitching just get it done.
Sparky George Oct. 13 2009
Speech for Nov.7 final run
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Posted by American, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 8:45 am You are a good person, Sparky! God bless you.
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Posted by Marie, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 8:51 am Thank you Sparky! I wish we could all be more like you! God bless America!
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Posted by Mirandamomma, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Nov 12, 2009 at 2:03 pm My pleasure to know you!
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