Steady rain not enough to deter those who loved Patty Nelson
FORWARD TWP--Friends and relatives of Patti Nelson, plus dedicated runners who did not know her, could have stayed in bed and listened to the rain fall on their roofs Saturday morning instead of participating in the Lace Up for the Library 5K and 1 mile fun run/walk, which benefits the Patti J. Nelson Foundation.
Instead, 85 soggy runners, walkers, babies in strollers, and one dog lined up at the starting line outside of Nelson’s home, which is now occupied by her husband, Jim.
“It says a lot about Patty,” he said of the turnout despite steady rain. “We created the run when she was diagnosed with cancer and it became a neighborhood tradition. It’s a good way to honor her.”
Patti Nelson succumbed to her cancer in 2015.
Jim Nelson said all proceeds from the 5K race, which started in 2016, benefit the Patti J. Nelson Foundation.
The Evans City Public Library, where Nelson was a dedicated volunteer, is the foundation’s sole beneficiary.
Jim Nelson said half the proceeds from Lace Up for the Library are donated to Evans City library immediately, and the other half is invested for future needs.
Cassie Nelson, Jim and Patti’s daughter and the foundation’s president, said her mother walked the family dogs on the 5K’s scenic route, which is just more than 3 miles.
“Rain or shine, she walked those dogs,” Cassie recalled.
She said Saturday represented the first Lace Up for the Library 5K to happen in the rain, but the atmospheric situation didn’t dampen her spirits.
“A little rain is not going to stop us,” Cassie said. “We’re here for some fun and running and maybe a little mud.”
She said her mother would be laughing at the group of soaked runners and volunteers at the event.
“But she would be proud that the community came out to support the library,” Cassie said.
As volunteers worked the sign-up table and Jim Nelson cooked burgers and bratwurst on the grill in his garage, other volunteers manned a tent in the driveway containing more than 40 raffle baskets and gift cards.
Among the three large items to be raffled were a quilt made by Patti, which is the last of her many handmade quilts the family will raffle at the 5K.
A 4-foot bear carved with a chain saw, and four days and three nights in any Florida city were the other two large raffle items.
Nelson said he raised $10,000 for the foundation last year, and about $7,500 this year.
Phyllis Walker, treasurer of the library’s board of directors, has difficulty talking about the race, raffle and Patti’s dedication to the library and many other nonprofits where she volunteered.
“Patti was a good friend of mine,” Walker said. “We met when our kids were in preschool.”
She said the Nelsons’ neighbors came up with the idea to hold a 5K on the loop where Patti walked her dogs.
The funds raised by the foundation can be used for any need at the library, Walker said, and have gone toward updating computers and furniture and other upgrades.
“We’re now looking for a new librarian,” Walker said, “and we’re always looking for things that patrons are interested in, so we can expand our programs.”
Maria Barron, library board president, was pleased to see the community support the library and foundation at the race.
“Patti loved the library, so it’s nice to see people who love the library and loved Patti are here,” Barron said.
Liam Dunkle, 10, of Butler, came to run his third race of 2023. The significant rain did not phase Liam.
“The best part is the puddles, but if you run too fast, you’ll fall,” he said.
Dunkle enjoys participating in races with his family.
“It keeps you active and it’s fun,” he said of his running hobby.
Guy Bauman traveled with his wife, Anita, from their home in sunny Surprise, Ariz. to participate in his late cousin’s 5K.
The couple decided to coordinate their annual trip to Western Pennsylvania to coincide with Lace Up for the Library to honor Patti.
“Patti was the cement that held the whole family together,” Bauman said. “When we came home, she would always organize something.”
Bauman is not a runner, but figured the 20,000 steps per day he takes as a FedEx courier in Arizona would get him through the race.
Plus, he wants to remember and honor his late cousin, Patti Nelson.
“This was her,” Bauman said as he looked out over the crowd assembled in Nelson’s driveway. “Family and friends were everything to her.”
Jim Nelson said runners would be treated to the grilled burgers and bratwurst, plus baked beans and macaroni and cheese when they finished the race.
“And beer,” he said. “You gotta rehydrate.”
