Help Garth raise money

My father Emmett Smelser, a life-long Rotarian, would have turned 80 the day after this year's Falmouth Road Race. He passed away a week before last year's race due to COVID complications. In his memory, I ran the 2021 race virtually in the town he and my mother raised me ---running the Indiana country roads to and from my childhood home. I will be running this year's race again in his memory but with the fundraising proceeds serving Rotary.

Our Race funds raised this year will serve myriad local and global Rotary efforts, such as our new project helping protect and educate young girls in Nepal in danger of being trafficked. The funds will build outdoor learning spaces for students right here at home.  The funds will grant scholarships and support global polio eradication efforts. In short, they will continue the work my father dedicated a lifetime of service to.

My father fully exemplified the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" through his journalistic profession as well as his community work. I've tried to follow his example in my own life and found such purpose and reward through Rotary's mission. Though it will be a bittersweet run, I will be thinking of my father at each mile, remembering the love he gave me and the tireless service he gave his communities through Rotary.

Thanks for your support.

-garth

https://www.falmouthrotary.com/

https://rotary.org/en

A memory of when my dad traveled to our home in Idaho to help me build a barn! He provided me with childhood exposure to the wonders of horses, nature, healthy living, and service.