The 18th Annual Run For It event, presented by the Tucker Community Foundation, was a tremendous success, bringing together a diverse community of over 1,300 virtual and in person participants. These participants represented 76 charitable, civic, and nonprofit organizations from our service region and state. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team captains and members, the Foundation distributed an astonishing $340,000 to these organizations. Despite the rainy weather, over 750 participants lined up for the 2k walk and 5k run, held as part of the annual Leaf Peepers Festival in Davis.
Angie Pase, the Run For It Coordinator and Development Director for the Tucker Community Foundation, praised the team captains and participants for their unwavering support and dedication to the event. “We have been fortunate to have loyal race participants; some teams have been competing in this event since it began in 2007. Thanks to the success of this event, we have been able to maintain consistent participation and experience steady growth each year, which has positively impacted our local communities. This year, we welcomed 15 new teams, and we hope to see even more teams join us in the future,” said Pase. “We also appreciate the support from corporate sponsors, county commissions, and local businesses in our service area, who have financially invested in these organizations and communities. This year, we witnessed a significant increase in new business sponsors and partnerships as well,” Pase added.
Run For It would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the volunteers and event staff who played a pivotal role in the success of this event. Their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts truly made this year’s event one to remember. Event staff and volunteers included: Angie Pase, David Cooper, Mike Moore, Aggie Arnold, Taylor Ambrose, Nevaeh Nichols, Rachelle Davis, David Moran, Tom Yocum, Blaine Steensland, Bud Parsons, Donna Stiles, Vicky Smith, Robin McClintock, Lizz Yocum, Mike DeVilder, Shelia DeVilder, Nora Howell, Kris Jordan, Mike Kuba, Shawn Kuba, Jim Baczuk, Chris Boyce, Ron Taylor, Doug Martin, Josh Poling, Savannah Poling, Debbie Schoonover, Jeannette Ware, Aaron Williams, Rod Jones, Moran Nesland, Ed Rader, Jimmy Ambrose, Joe Callahan, Elaine George, Bill Peterson, Barb Plumley, Carl Plumley, Lee Shirline, Donna Stiles, Trina Taylor, Gary Berti, Crystal Boone, Barb Douglas, and Brittany Channel.
The Foundation would like to express special thanks to the West Virginia Department of Highways, West Virginia State Police, Tucker County Sheriff’s Department, Tucker County Office of Emergency Management, Tucker County EMS, Barbour Community Health Association, Mountaineer Challenge Academy, the Town of Davis, and the Davis Volunteer Fire Department.
The generous support from sponsors, businesses, and various organizations contributed significantly to the event’s success. The 2025 Run For It sponsors include: The Bernard McDonough Foundation, St. George Medical Clinic, Hope Gas, Dominion Energy, Tucker County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Alpine Festival, East West T-Shirts and Embroidery, Tucker County Commission, Randolph County Commission, Barbour County Commission, Preston County Commission, Pocahontas County Commission, Grant County Commission, Garrett County Commission, Mineral County Commission, Run Jeb, Run, Citizens Bank of West Virginia, Barbour County Community Foundation, Mettiki Coal, The Grant County Bank, Chris and Hilary Boyce, Mountain Valley Bank, N.A., Kingsford, A.L.L. Construction Group, Davis Trust Company, United Financial Center, Great Improvements, LLC, Hinchcliff Products, Best of Canaan, Q&A Associates, Saddles & Smiles, WEPCO Federal Credit Union, Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes, The Inn at Canaan, Canaan Valley Spa and Wellness Center, BFS Foods, WVU Medicine Grant Memorial Hospital, K.T. Bright CPA Accounting & Tax Services, AC, Pineview Apartments at Cortland, State Farm Insurance – Bob Gutshall, Agent, The Pines at Cortland, All Seasons Real Estate Service, Inc., Blackwater Bikes, Blackwater Insurance Group, Milo’s Cafe & Restaurant, Freedom Bank, Kristie Vandevander, CPA, Lake’s Bookkeeping & Taxes, McClain Printing Company, Inc., Mike Ross, Inc., Mountain Home Design Build, Mountaineer Infrastructure, Naylor’s ACE Hardware, Nuway Restoration and Cleaning, Piccolo Paula’s Caffe, Pioneer Insurance Agency, Inc., Roy’s RV Supercenter, LLC, Sirianni’s Pizza Cafe, The Inter-Mountain, The Spectacle Family Eye Care, Valley View Cabin Resort, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and White Grass Ski Touring Center.
Since its inception in 2007, Run For It has raised over $3.5 million for civic, charitable, and nonprofit causes, leaving a lasting impact on the communities the Foundation serves in Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur Counties in West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the power of collective effort and the impact of individuals coming together for a common good.
David Cooper, CEO of the Tucker Community Foundation, stated, “The funds and awareness raised through this program are helping us plant the seeds for a very prosperous future for the communities we serve. This initiative creates opportunities for growth and philanthropic endeavors that will benefit many generations to come.” He further emphasized, “For us, it represents the concept of planting seeds for trees that will provide shade we may never personally enjoy, but that will offer shelter to those in need in the future.”
The final team awards have been tallied and will be distributed to teams in the coming weeks. The comprehensive list of award results can be found at https://tuckerfoundationwv.org/run-for-it. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s event. The 2026 Run For It will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026. We hope to see you there!
