Community Briefs

By Tracy Bell

Published: November 19, 2008

Athletes run for environmental cause
STAFFORD – Actor Matt Hill and national speaker Stephanie Tait will jog through Stafford on Saturday, continuing on an 11,000-mile journey that has served to encourage people to take steps to improve the environment.
Hill, a seven-time Ironman, and Tait, hail from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
“It’s time to take action,” said Tait. “We believe in the power of the individual to help change the world.”
That belief has encouraged the team to leave their homes, and embark on this incredible, year-long journey. In order to get out and convince people all over North America to do something, to take one step toward a more “green” style of living, Hill and Tait plan on taking many steps – they are running each of the 11,000 miles.
“We’re planning on each person running one marathon a day,“ said Hill, noting that “most marathon runners plan on a burst of speed as soon as they leave the gate, but we can’t plan on doing that.”
The runners said they “do it like a relay,” switching every six miles.
Hill and Tait - the Run For One Planet team - began their journey May 4, and they’ve made it beyond the halfway mark. They have already run through Canada, and are now making their way down the eastern coast of the United States. They followed the Transcanada roadway system in Canada, and are taking U.S. 1 for their southbound journey.
The team’s goals include encouraging people and communities to take action, and they usually plan on spending extra time each day to speak with people in the communities.
People are welcome to come see them, talk with them, run with them and make a change. They invite people to their Web site, runforoneplanet.com.

— Megan Sweeney
Bookmobile times set
STAFFORD — The Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Bookmobile will visit Stafford this week. On Nov. 25, it will stop by His Precious Children from 10 to 10:30 a.m., the YMCA from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m., the Gardens of Stafford from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., Agape Preparatory Academy from 2:45 until 3:30 p.m., and the Brooke Post Office from 4 until 4:30 p.m. On Nov. 26, the Bookmobile will stop at Stafford’s Children of America from 9:30 until 10 a.m. and Blake Farm Day School from 10:30 until 11:15 a.m. The library will be closed, and the bookmobile will not be utilized on Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving Day.
Volunteer mentors needed
A Hispanic Youth Mentoring Program has recently begun at the Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters, partly funded by a grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities. To facilitate this program, Hispanic volunteers are needed. Men and women are welcome.
Men from all walks of life are also urgently needed to serve as Big Brothers. More than 35 boys are on the waiting list. A Big Brother or Sister becomes a role model, mentor, and friend to a little sibling. Many children are waiting for a big sibling. To get involved, please call (540) 371-7444 or e-mail or visit the Web site at rbbbs.org.

— Submitted