$5,000 From Thatcher Markham Memorial Run Presented To 31 Backpacks

Money raised from a race will help feed hungry kids in the local area.  A check in the amount of $5,000 was presented to 31 Backpacks Tuesday at the office of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce.

The funds came from the Thatcher Markham Memorial Run, which preceded the Bridgefest Parade nearly one year after the 12-year-old boy lost his life in the aftermath of the Father’s Day Flood in 2018.

Over 420 participants took part in the run, along with several members of the extended Markham family.  Bridgefest committee member Ryan Towles says it was a great day for a great cause.  “I’m just so happy there’s enough synergy there to bring all these different things together and to have something positive come out of something so tragic,” said Towles.  “I couldn’t be more proud of that and honoring a 12-year-old boy by benefiting a charity that helps kids in that age group and all kids here in the area, I couldn’t think of a better way to put it all together.”

Thatcher’s mother Joanne Markham says her family enjoyed taking part in the run and is glad to see the money going to help other kids in the community.  “It’s definitely humbling and pretty exciting, too, that everybody continues to remember him and keep him in their thoughts and prayers and it is a wonderful cause and I know many kids benefit from the program so it’s definitely something we’re willing to be associated with,” said Markham.

31 Backpacks provides food for students who may otherwise go hungry while they are not in school.  Co-founder Melissa Maki says the donation couldn’t have come at a better time.  “We’re coming up to the beginning of the school year again,” she said.  “Our pantry is empty and we’re going to need to refill that. Donations are down because people pay more attention when school is in session and they actually see the physical need but we do need to ramp up so that we’re ready to go when school starts up again in September.”

Towles expressed his gratitude toward the Markham family for being open to the fundraiser, as well as Aspirus, the title sponsor for the event and the other sponsors, and to Tara Arens and the board of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce for their support.