RANDOLPH, Vt., Aug. 22, 2023—Longtime friends and loved ones gathered on the Gifford Green on Saturday afternoon to hear the 18th annual Last Mile fundraising total, a record-breaking $198,000 to support end-of-life patients and their families. Participants, together with sponsors and donors, raised the money as they prepared to ride, run or walk in Last Mile events held over the last two weekends.
This year’s total exceeds last year’s by $11,000, and brings the grand total to $1,576,023 raised since the first Last Mile in 2006.
For years, the late Chip Milnor, who died in May and for whom this year’s Last Mile was dedicated, was cheered as the top fundraiser. This year, a team comprised of Milnor’s close friends and wife Marie raised $20,780 in his honor—making Milnor once again the top fundraiser.
Hearing the totals was a bittersweet moment for many participants, as well as for Last Mile organizer Ashley Lincoln, who shared the results.
“I am overwhelmed with the generosity and continued support for this event—we really did Chip proud,” said Lincoln, Gifford vice president of development. “The most humbling part for me is that no matter the ask, when it comes to the Last Mile, the answer is yes—from our dedicated volunteers, to our business sponsors, to our participants and many donors. These gifts will make a lasting impact on our community and the care our team provides at Gifford.”
Other top fundraisers were Liz Longworth with $6,500; Todd Winslow, $1,750; Janet Whitaker, $1,525; and Lynda McDermott, $1,375.
Last Mile 2023 drew 676 participants, up from 560 last year. The series of events began Aug. 12 with a bicycle ride, continued Friday night with a 5K and 1- and 2.5-mile walks, and ended Saturday after a 90-mile motorcycle ride through central Vermont. Last Mile welcomed 68 bicyclists, 150 5K runners, 290 walkers, 124 motorcyclists and 44 motorcycle passengers.
Top 5K finishers were Ben DeFlorio (overall male) with a time of 18 minutes, 38.7 seconds, and Hannah Barden (overall female) with a time of 23 minutes, 23.6 seconds. Full race results are available at 802timing.com.
To ensure safety along Saturday’s motorcycle route, riders were led out of town by Bill Bohnyak and escorted by Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association volunteers with the help of local police.
In addition to the Last Mile events, funds were raised through a 50/50 raffle for cash, as well as raffles for a quilt made by retired Gifford nurses Betsy Hannah and Carol Labonte and a blanket crocheted by Gifford staffer Jen Hrinsin. David Howe took home the quilt, and Arlo Collette won the blanket. The 50/50 raffle winners were Judy Giles, Patrick Giordano, and Joanne Colson.
Door prizes—$100 gift cards to Wilkins Harley-Davidson in Barre—went to Dan Lagerstedt, Tom Carter, Fran Slover, Jon Hodgdon, and Charlie Ballou.
Fifty-two businesses supported the 2023 Last Mile, including the following major sponsors: Frankenburg Agency, Inc.; Gary and Mary West Foundation; Gifford Auxiliary; Mascoma Bank; Neagley & Chase Construction Co.; Northfield Savings Bank; SVB Private, LLC; Bar Harbor Bank & Trust; Day Funeral Home; Northeast Delta Dental; Rain or Shine Tent Company; and Rural VT Real Estate.
The 2024 Last Mile is slated for Aug. 10 with the bicycle ride; Aug. 16, 5K run and walks; and Aug. 17, motorcycle ride.
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Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph, and Rochester, and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient unit; many surgical services; an adult day program; 49-unit independent living facility, and a nursing home. The hospital’s mission is to improve individual and community health by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care in Gifford’s service area.
CONTACT: Maryellen Apelquist, Communications Manager,
Photo above by Stuart Edson
