| Kate's Challenge |
Mary Kate Carney was a Speech Therapist who started working in the
field of Special Education, in 1986, with students who have all types of
disabilities. She was extremely devoted to her job and to the students
that she worked with. Her innovation and passion in improving the
communication needs for all students was immeasurable. She touched
the lives of all the students and their families, as well as the staff that she
worked with. Kate was loved by everyone.
Unfortunately, on December 26, 1998 Kate lost her long and valiant
fight with brain cancer and she passed away at 35 years old. The family,
friends and co-workers that Kate left behind were devastated by her
loss. But in our sorrow also came the desire to never forget the person
who had touched so many lives in such a short lifetime. Since Kate was
an avid race walker and truly loved the sport of running/walking, we
decided to put on a Road Race in her memory, first, to commemorate her
life, but also to use this as a means to raise money to help “kids”.
Because of the success of our races we initially set up an Endowment
Fund through the Bay Area Community Foundation. Through this fund
we are able to provide services to children and youths in Bay and Arenac
counties that enhance their communication needs (i.e.: speech camp,
assistive devices, etc.) Very recently, we have set up a Scholarship
Fund through the Bay Area Community Foundation for college students
pursuing the fields of Speech Therapy and Special Education.
The money raised through Kate's Challenge is used to continually
support the students that Kate cared so much about and to support
those who also share her desire to work in the fields of Speech Therapy
and Special Education. We feel that this race, in Kate’s honor, is a
perfect way to continue our commitment to carry on her work and to help
those individuals who are in need of such services. Please come and
participate and keep Kate’s ambition alive.
For more information about our Scholarship fund please go to
www.bayfoundation.org
field of Special Education, in 1986, with students who have all types of
disabilities. She was extremely devoted to her job and to the students
that she worked with. Her innovation and passion in improving the
communication needs for all students was immeasurable. She touched
the lives of all the students and their families, as well as the staff that she
worked with. Kate was loved by everyone.
Unfortunately, on December 26, 1998 Kate lost her long and valiant
fight with brain cancer and she passed away at 35 years old. The family,
friends and co-workers that Kate left behind were devastated by her
loss. But in our sorrow also came the desire to never forget the person
who had touched so many lives in such a short lifetime. Since Kate was
an avid race walker and truly loved the sport of running/walking, we
decided to put on a Road Race in her memory, first, to commemorate her
life, but also to use this as a means to raise money to help “kids”.
Because of the success of our races we initially set up an Endowment
Fund through the Bay Area Community Foundation. Through this fund
we are able to provide services to children and youths in Bay and Arenac
counties that enhance their communication needs (i.e.: speech camp,
assistive devices, etc.) Very recently, we have set up a Scholarship
Fund through the Bay Area Community Foundation for college students
pursuing the fields of Speech Therapy and Special Education.
The money raised through Kate's Challenge is used to continually
support the students that Kate cared so much about and to support
those who also share her desire to work in the fields of Speech Therapy
and Special Education. We feel that this race, in Kate’s honor, is a
perfect way to continue our commitment to carry on her work and to help
those individuals who are in need of such services. Please come and
participate and keep Kate’s ambition alive.
For more information about our Scholarship fund please go to
www.bayfoundation.org
| OUR STORY |