Endeavor donates record fundraising proceeds to Putnam Cancer Center

Courtesy photo Included in the presentation of the Monster Dash donation check are (from left): Rhonda McCammack, Cancer Center manager; Dennis Weatherford, Putnam County Hospital CEO; Endeavor employees Jacob O’Rourke, Amber Burgeson, Danielle Dobson, Endeavor President and CEO Darin T. LaCoursiere, and Lori Lucas, Putnam County Hospital director of community relations/marketing manager.

Endeavor Communications celebrated its continued support of the local communities it serves by making a donation of more than $5,000 to the Putnam County Cancer Center recently.

The funding includes donations collected as part of Endeavor’s third annual Monster Dash Family 5K Walk/Run at Cloverdale High School. This year’s event was especially notable as Endeavor’s total $5,236.44 donation directly benefits the residents of Putnam County.

The annual Monster Dash Family 5K Walk/Run event is organized and staffed by an energetic group of Endeavor Communications employee volunteers and Endeavor employee wellness committee members dedicated to helping raise funds for cancer prevention. The family-friendly event drew walkers and runners from throughout Putnam County and were encouraged to wear their favorite costumes –- providing opportunities for fun, ghoulish selfies and group pictures.

New this year was the inclusion of a new timing system giving participants the ability to track their official time which drew praise from the more seasoned, competitive runners.

“Endeavor’s generous donation will help provide gasoline, food and medicine for patients on our gift card program,” Rhonda McCammack, Putnam County Cancer Center manager, said. “It will also help us with our mission to educate area residents with programs on ways to prevent or find cancer in its earliest stages when it can be more easily treated.”

McCammack continued, “Some of these programs involve distributing sunscreen and providing the education needed help to prevent skin cancer. The proceeds will also provide skin screening and prostate screening programs -- which are provided free to the public, and continuing education for those physicians, nurses, and medical personnel who care for our cancer patients. With your donations, we will also be able to purchase two wheelchairs that will be dedicated to any cancer patient to use when they come to the hospital.”

Events like Monster Dash wouldn’t be possible without the help of key local community organizations, including Cloverdale High School, Putnam County Hospital, York Auto Body and Glass, Hendricks Power Cooperative, Corragio Designs Inc., Rebecca Norlin Photography, Dennis Furr, Brad Tucker State Farm, Jeff Rich Auction Services, Monical’s Pizza, Putnam Inn, Hutch’s Body Shop and Graphic Shack Signs, along with all the local merchants who donated door

prizes, the event participants, volunteers, and everyone else who donated to the cause.

For more information about the event, persons may contact Tom Dougherty, Endeavor Communications, at 765-795-5554, ext. 254 or tdougherty@weendeavor.com.