Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run - Family effort revives charity run

The run has been absent from Paducah's list of charity benefits for three years.

For Gerry Montgomery, Sarah Hughes and Dr. Evelyn Montgomery Jones, working with the Arthritis Foundation is a family affair.

Montgomery and her sister Hughes are the co-chairwomen for the return of the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 2. The run has been absent from Paducah's list of charity run/walks for three years.

"We're trying to get it re-established," Montgomery said. "I think it's a very important thing to do."

Registration is $20, which includes free jingle bells and running gloves, or $30 for the bells, gloves and a T-shirt. A $5 fee will be added for registration received on race day.

Registration for the youth race is $10, which includes bells, shirt and a prize. To register, phone 554-7546 or log on www.arthritis.org.

Check-in and registration will be from 7 to 8:45 a.m. on race day, with the race beginning at 9 a.m. from Paducah Bank, 525 Jefferson St. A youth run will begin at 10 a.m. Awards will be presented at 10:30 a.m.

Racers may pick up their packets and shirts from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at WellSprings Institute, 2341 New Holt Road.

Montgomery suffered an acute attack of arthritis in the spring of 2005 that left her confined to her bed. She has since recovered and is taking two medications. Her sister also has arthritis. Jones, a Paducah dermatologist, said she became involved because of several family members and friends suffering from arthritis.

"I feel very blessed that we have a lot of options" for treatment, Montgomery said. "But there's no cure."

Arthritis crippled Montgomery's grandfather, causing him to use a wheelchair from age 45 until his death at 94. "I took care of them," she said of her grandparents. "Arthritis seemed so horrible to me at the time."

Jones said 80 cents of every dollar raised during the walk will benefit research, development and educational programs of the Arthritis Foundation. The local goal is $25,000.

The Arthritis Foundation will offer incentives to teams raising certain dollar amounts. Refreshments also will be provided.