Jamie and Robin Hackert, organizers of Race for Ace, hold the giant check for Serenity Haven, the mission and motivation for Race for Ace. After mail-in donations were totaled, it was determined this year’s event raised over $29,000 for the cause.
It was a bit of a drizzly early morning on Saturday, May 30, but that did not stop nearly 100 racers and walkers who braved the elements at the Fourth Annual Race for Ace and traveled the scenic grounds of Hackert Tree Farm between Lynnville and Sully starting at 8 a.m. Taking into account race registrations, silent auction, raffles, freewill donations, and mailed-in monetary gifts, $29,044.24 was raised to benefit Serenity Haven, which will be a modern, fully handicapped-accessible home in Sully for up to four special needs individuals like Acea Hackert, who Race for Ace is held in honor of.
Race for Ace started with a fun run for the younger crowd. Winners in the kids’ fun run were: 1. Case Rozendaal (repeat of last year’s winner), 2. Dawson Morvant (second-place repeat of last year), and 3. Abel Harsselaar.
The first three males crossing the finish line of the Race for Ace 5K were: 1. Blake Wilmesmeier, 2. Madden Gunsaulus (last year’s winner), and 3. Keegan Schnell. The top-three females in the Race for Ace were: 1. Macay Van Wyk, 2. Kate Arkema (last year’s winner), and 3. Mia Greubel. Breakfast was also served during the event with a long list of silent auction and raffle drawings and winners. At Saturday’s event, the next new fundraiser Battle of the Blackstones! was announced tentatively for 5-7 p.m., Saturday, July 25. Ten or more people will use their Blackstone skills to create winning dishes for three judges. “And Serenity Haven will of course feed the masses, more details to come,” said Robin. The second Taco Tuesdays event is set for Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27.
“We would like to thank everyone for coming to the Fourth Annual Race for Ace. We are blessed to have such an incredible community that is so supportive and generous. Special thank you to all the businesses and people who donated to our raffle! Wow!” Robin said. “Also a huge thank you to our families. We could not do this without them!”
