The Friends of the Oconto Falls Fire Department and the Oconto County Humane Society both received $500 checks thanks to the success of the 3^rd Annual Hotcake Hustle. Nearly 250 people participated in the Oconto Falls Community Run/Walk event Sunday, September 13, 2009.

 

Sponsored by Community Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls, Bellin Health Heart and Vascular Center, BayCare Clinic, and Cardiology Associates, the event was organized to promote health and physical activity in our community. In addition, the Hotcake Hustle has raised funds each year for a designated local charity.

 

“We are pleased to be able to give donations to two groups this year, both very worthy causes,” said Kim Pytleski, Chairperson of the Hotcake Hustle. “Thanks to the great turnout and to our sponsors and volunteers, we are proud to be able to give back to the community.”

 

“We are really glad to receive this gift,” said Jason Belleau, Director of the Oconto Area Humane Society. The money will be used to help pay the animal shelter’s high utility bill during the winter months. The Friends of the Oconto Falls Fire Department will use their gift to construct a training building that can simulate smoke and fire and will be used to practice rescue tactics and for fire safety demonstrations.  

 

The Hotcake Hustle is a 5K run/walk and a 10K run. The 5K overall winners were Scott Schaut of Pound with a time of 18:31 in the male division and Bailey Wolf of Oconto Falls with a time of 19:04 for the females. The 10K winners were Steve Linzmeyer of Suring with a time of 38:57 and Heather Tuttle of Green Bay with a time of 43:25.  Complete race results and photos are at www.hotcakehustle.com and on Facebook.

 

Charlie Company, the 432^nd Civil Affairs Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserve out of Green Bay participated in the event as a training exercise and displayed their company colors.

 

“We were honored to host the soldiers,” said Pytleski. “We will certainly invite them back each year.” The 2010 Hotcake Hustle is planned for the first Sunday after Labor Day with a start time of 8am. The Annual Hotcake Hustle is held in conjunction with the Falls Festival Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Pancake and Porkie Breakfast.

 

The 2009 event was made possible through the efforts of various volunteers and the following sponsors:

 

Community Memorial Hospital

Bellin Health Heart and Vascular Center

BayCare Clinic

Cardiology Associates

M&O Apparel

Coachlight Motel

Senn Hometown Insurance

Witt's Piggly Wiggly

Oconto Falls High School

Oconto Falls Area Ambulance

Oconto Falls Fire Dept.

Oconto Falls Utilities Dept.

City of Oconto Falls

Oconto Electric Co-op./Radio Shack

Runner's World

Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce