Ava Lions Club has now officially exceeded $100,000 in support from area businesses. The amount has come from sponsors for the Walk/Run Event on Saturday May 14.
Total values include complimentary meals from restaurants, in Ava, Branson, Nixa, Ozark and Springfield, and free theater passes from Branson shows.
The value of the gifts and prizes that will be in each runner’s packet has a value of between $200 and $300. The free food value alone far exceeds the registration cost.
Included in the packets will be coupons for free Big Macs from McDonalds, free tacos from Taco Bell, free chicken from KFC, and sodas and water from Sonic and Coke.
In addition several of the Ava restaurants are providing free drinks or dessert with purchase of a meal or sandwich. Special coupons for the registrants include special discounts of up to 25 percent off of their purchase. Only the first 500 registrations are guaranteed a runner’s packet, so anyone planning to attend should submit their registration form immediately.
Participants can sign up the day of the event, however, runners packets are not guaranteed for them. All participants will receive a bag to hold the items thanks to Cooper Lumber Co. All participants will also receive a T-shirt. Trophies will be provided for the male and female winner of each class.
This year, every participant will receive a ticket. The ticket stub will be taped to one of the many prizes awarded. When the participant completes their distance, they may proceed directly to the pavilion at the park and match up the ticket stubs and win the prize attached.
Prizes include picnic items, water bottles, steak or prime rib dinners, Silver Dollar City tickets, tickets to Lamberts, and tickets to many of the theaters in Branson. Season passes to the Ava Swimming Pool are provided this year to two lucky winners. Fruit, water and soft drinks will also be available to everyone at the finish line.
This year the Lions have coordinated with the Farmers Market on the square and will have a table in the gazebo where they will be serving coffee, tea and hot chocolate free of charge. A can will be available for donations, however, the Lions invite the business owners, shoppers and anyone else to take advantage of the free drinks on the square from 7 to 11 a.m. while the walk/run is being conducted at the city park.
The Lions Club would like to recognize and thank the many local businesses that support or sponsor this event. They also encourage all participants to visit those sponsors and take advantage of all the discount coupons and also let them know how much you appreciate what they do for our community.
Deserving special thanks are A-1 Insurance, Ava Chamber of Commerce, American Family Insurance, Ava Beverage, Ava Drug, Ava Victory Academy, Backwood Diva, Hucklebuck BBQ, Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Collins Law Firm, Cooper Lumber Company, Douglas County Animal Hospital, Dr. Chris Gentry, Dunn Chiropractic, H&R Block, Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center, Karen Bates-Crouch Attorney, Kim Hathcock, L&D Trophy and Engraving, LaTour Insurance, McDonalds, Ozark Exteriors, Ozarks Family Vision, Patricks Family Restaurant in Nixa, Pro-Design Printing, Kentucky Fried Chicken/Long John Silvers, Taco Bell, Roger Wall, Sho-Me Real Estate, State Farm Insurance, Sonshine Restaurant, Town and Country Bank, Town and Country Supermarket, Trinity Lutheran Church, Vickie Prock and the Hair Factory and Wade Law Firm.
“Without their help, assistance and encouragement, we would never be able to coordinate this community event,” said Larry Morrison, Lions president and chairman of the walk/run event.
For additional information contact Larry Morrison, 683-0188, or any Lions Club member.
