The members of the nursing faculty at Pennsylvania College of Technology have organized a 5K walk/run in memory of Allyson Wilgar-Jones, a colleague who died June 12, 2004, after a brief, intense battle with cancer. The 5K walk/run will not only honor Wilgar-Jones' memory but will also help fund a nursing scholarship in her name. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, with the race beginning at 10 a.m. at the College's main entrance. Registration will take place from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
Wilgar-Jones was 45 when she died. In addition to teaching at Penn College for about 10 years, she was a family nurse practitioner, practicing with her husband, Dr. Mike Jones. She left behind two children, Brooke and Brandon, both Williamsport Area High School students.
Brochures to register for the event can be picked up at the Nursing Education Office in Room W219A of the Breuder Advanced Technology and Health Sciences Center on Penn College's main campus. The cost to register is $15 before March 31 and $18 afterward. The first 200 registrants will receive a free, long-sleeve T-shirt with the race logo and sponsors' names printed on it.
Those who will not be running or walking may still support the effort by purchasing a T-shirt for $15. A limited number of w-100 float-right p-1 T-shirts will be available for sale on the day of the race.
A raffle will also be held during the event. There are 20 prize packages in four groups. Tickets for the first group, which includes prize packages for one-night getaways at Williamsport hotels and restaurants (one package "for him" and one "for her") and a trip to Baltimore, are $10 each, two for $15 or three for $25.
A second prize group, for which tickets are $5 for one, $9 for two or $12 for three, includes such prizes as a pair of 14K gold earrings, YMCA membership, a luggage set and preparation for two wills and other legal services.
Tickets for the third prize group cost $2 for one, $3 for two or $5 for three. Prizes include gift certificates from local jewelers and restaurants.
The fourth prize group also includes gift certificates for area restaurants. Tickets are $1 for one, $5 for six or $10 for 12. A $50 donation will buy one ticket for each of 20 prize packages.
Raffle tickets may be purchased by calling Kathleen M. Matzinger at (570) 320-8029, or by stopping at the College's nursing laboratory in Room W207 of the Breuder Advanced Technology and Health Sciences Center.
Those interested in making a donation to the scholarship fund in Wilgar-Jones' memory may send contributions to "Allyson Wilgar-Jones Memorial Fund," Pennsylvania College of Technology, One College Avenue, DIF 20, Williamsport, PA. Checks should be made out to "AWJ Memorial Fund."
For more information, or to register to participate in the run/walk, contact the Allyson Wilgar-Jones Scholarship Committee through the Nursing Education Office at Penn College at (570) 327-4525.