StateWide to celebrate 20th anniversary

Van Wert independent/submitted information

StateWide Ford Lincoln has planned a busy weekend to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the Van Wert community.

First off, StateWide will be sponsoring, along with the YMCA, a 5K walk/run event to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness. The fundraising event will start at 9 a.m. at the Van Wert High School track facility, with registration beginning at 7:30 that morning. There will be registration the day of the race for those who find out at the last minute they can participate. Preregistration is also available at the YMCA or online at www.vwymca.org.

“I always like to get there early, so I can get mentally prepared and to enjoy the company of other participants,” said StateWide owner Andy Czajkowski.

Czajkowski said the Susan G. Komen Foundation is a charity that is important to him from a personal standpoint. “My mom was a breast cancer survivor and died just last year of a brain tumor that was probably caused by recurrent breast cancer,” he said, adding that a cousin, who was the mother of two small children, also passed away last year in her 40s from breast cancer.

“I am sure that many, if not all, of you have similar stories about close friends and relatives,” Czajkowski added. “Not only is this cause close to my heart, I know it has affected many of your lives.”

Also this Saturday, StateWide will be holding a Drive One 4 UR Community test-drive event at Van Wert High School. The event, which will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., is part of a program begun by Ford a couple years ago to benefit local communities. Ford donates $20 per legitimate test drive to a worthy local charity or organization. The proceeds from Saturday’s event will go to Van Wert Rotary Club and the Van Wert County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“Maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve driven a Ford, or maybe you want to try out one of the latest models before you trade in your old Ford,” Czajkowski said. “Either way, if you test drive a new Ford product at Van Wert High School on September 14, not only will you learn about the amazing new cards and trucks, but you’ll also benefit the community you live in through the donation Ford will give. Now that is win-win situation.”

Czajkowski also urges local residents to attend the 2013 Health Aware Fair event, which will be held from 8 a.m.-noon at Van Wert High School (see story above).

The event, which is hosted by the Van Wert Rotary Club, local Red Cross chapter and Van Wert County Hospital, provides information to make people’s lives and health better. There will be free health screenings for blood pressure, bone density, flexibility testing and more. Free well-being treatments, such as chair massages, healthy food samples, and more will also be provided, while free fitness classes, such as Zumba, chair yoga, Kit Fit and more, will also be demonstrated.

There will also be free prizes, reduced cost blood profiles, flu shots and more.

For more information, access the following website: www.vanwerthospital.org/healthawarefair.