SAC members support Jingle Bell cause

Tate Metcalf, of Sisters Athletic Club, loves to support a cause, so imagine his delight when more than 100 SAC members took part in the annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk in Bend on December 5, to help raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.

In all, over $42,000 was raised, according to organizers, and folks from Sisters played no small role in that number.

The 102 participants signed up through SAC ended up being the largest group from a single organization and the second-largest fundraising group, pulling together $2,015. On top of that, a pair of runners from Sisters placed among the top of the field in the five-kilometer running race, which started in downtown Bend and finished at Columbia Park.

Taylor Steele, a junior at Sisters High School, finished as the runner-up, while his cross-country teammate Mason Calmettes, a sophomore, placed fifth.

Another benefit to the event in Metcalf's view is that many of the SAC participants had never been involved with a race like this. He believes they will now continue.

"It's cool to see the excitement people have over getting out there and being part of an activity that is good for their health and benefits others at the same time," he said. "Even though it was wicked cold, it was a great social event for all of us."