United Way memorial run has record attendance
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STEUBENVILLE -- A record number of participants wound their way around Jim Wood Park and the Buena Vista area during Saturday's third-annual Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5-K Run and Walk, an event designed to raise money for local nonprofits and honor a community leader who lost her battle with cancer.
The late Suzanne Kresser, the 5-K's namesake, was a former executive director of the United Way of Jefferson County, the organization that hosted the event. The event's goal was to raise money for the United Way's 13 partner agencies.
Laura Rauch, executive director of the United Way, said the run had 122 participants, including 92 pre-registered -- an improvement from last year's total of 102. Among those at the race were some of Kresser's friends and family, including her mother, Linda Slowikowski, who said the run has gotten "bigger and better" every year.
"You probably can't even realize how happy we were when the United Way decided to have this event in memory of Suzanne," Slowikowski reflected before the run started. "She was all about community, helping those in need, and she would be smiling down on us today.
"I know she's really happy because we're continuing what she liked to do," Slowikowski said of of her daughter, whose long list of organizations she contributed to includes the Jefferson County 4-H Youth Development Program, Eastern Gateway Community College's scholarship committee, the Rotary Club of Steubenville, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County Humane Society and Animal Shelter.
Rauch said, "I just want to thank everybody for coming out to support the United Way. It means so much to the United Way of Jefferson County and her family to honor her."
Several athletic teams joined the cause as well, with individuals from the Steubenville High School and Harding Middle School cross-country teams and the Indian Creek High School volleyball team participating.
Among the participants were John Hale and his wife, Andrea Hale, a friend of Kresser. Andrea Hale, CEO of Valley Hospice, recalled her friendship with Kresser beginning with them both playing basketball together in the 1980s and blossomed later in life after they reconnected.
Hale said Kresser was a "doer" when it came to work and naturally charismatic when it came to people. Kresser was the one who introduced Hale to the Rotary Club of Steubenville, suggesting it would be a good fit for her.
Kresser was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of cancerous brain tumor, and she battled with the disease for eight months before dying in 2021 at the age of 51. Hale said Kresser had reached out to her at Valley Hospice toward the end of her life to receive care.
"It was an honor to be there for her and her family," Hale said.
Ted Gorman, president of the United Way's board of directors, said of Kresser, "She was such a big part of giving back and being involved. She was a kind-hearted person who wanted to help anyone that she came in contact with."
Other family members of Kresser at the event included her twin sister, Shanley Slike. The 5-K had the added goal of raising awareness of glioblastoma, and Slike spoke on her own experience being with Kresser during her diagnosis and through the various symptoms, such as memory loss, seizures, drowsiness and headaches.
Calling to mind those experiences, Slike said she is grateful for what the United Way has done for the community and to honor Kresser. She thanked the community for its outstanding engagement, saying, "It's the people who make Steubenville."
"Donations each year continue to grow," Slike said.
A large photo of Kresser stood in the pavilion during the 5K, and Slike said she began to tear up upon seeing the photo. However, she said it was a "happy day" and a "day to celebrate Sue."
"She would want us to be happy, she would want us smiling and she would want us walking," Slike said.
Another sister of Kresser, Sherri Wilson, attended the event with her granddaughter and three grandsons -- Kresser's great-niece and great-nephews. Wilson said, "We're really happy to be a part of this event. My sister would be really happy to know that we're helping to make others aware of glioblastoma.
"(Kresser) was all about doing everything she could for anybody in the community."
Frank Slowikowski walked around the shelter with Annie, who had been Kresser's dog. Slowikowski said the 11-year-old Yorkshire terrier was Kresser's "baby," who she pampered with a dog bed in her office and a special seat near a window from which she could watch passersby. People still say "Hi, Annie," when he walks the dog through Steubenville, Slowikowski added.
Kresser entrusted Annie to the Slowikowskis when she became sick, Frank Slowikowski said. Annie still receives plenty of pampering, a fact attested to by Linda Slowikowski's later characterization of Annie as "the spoiled-est dog in the world."
"(Annie) has helped me and my wife both," Frank Slowikowski said. "Having her around, you always think about Sue."