5K planned to benefit local teacher

MARIA STEIN - More than 1,000 people are expected to descend on Marion Township Park on Sunday to participate in The Grey 5k Run/Walk to benefit local teacher and coach Dan Thobe.

Thobe, a Maria Stein native, has been diagnosed with a grade 3 inoperable brain tumor, family friend and 5K organizer Kim Habodasz said. Due to the nature of the tumor, it can't be removed without possibly changing Thobe as a person, but the family is looking into alternative forms of treatment.

Habodasz said during preregistration, about 1,200 applicants from all over have registered to participate. Thobe has served as a coach and teacher at Vandalia-Butler City Schools, Fort Loramie Local Schools and Marion Local Schools. Habodasz said the number of people who had registered reflects the impact he's had in each community.

"It's a little bigger than what I thought we could get. I was hoping to get at least 500, but that's just how huge a part he is in everybody's lives. Everybody just wants to help him," Habodasz said.

The community has come together to support him and his family. Habodasz described local contributions as endless. She said she gets about 30 texts a day from people wondering what they can do to help, and finding volunteers has been easy. More than $30,000 has been raised in the 18 days Thobe's GoFundMe page has been up, far exceeding the original $5,000 goal.

Very little money has been needed to organize the event as so many donations have been received. The day also will include a live auction and 50/50 drawing due to the outpouring of donated items. The auction will begin after the 5K, at about 2 p.m.

"I just can't say any more about the community. That's why I wanted to move back, to be a part of this. You just don't get it anywhere, I believe," Habodasz said.

Brad Knapke of Pac-Man Productions DJ Service will make announcements during the 5k and will provide entertainment afterward. A full lunch menu with soups and sandwiches will be provided, and Moeller Brew Barn will bring a beer truck to the event as well. Two new doughnut beers will be available, Cinnamon Twist and Apple Frizzle, to be enjoyed with doughnuts that brewery owner Nick Moeller will supply.

Habodasz said the Thobe family has been touched by the support, and while emotional, they are excited for the day to give everybody hugs. Dan Thobe especially feels overwhelmed by the support.

"He just keeps saying he wants to give back. He feels guilty for what people are doing. He feels the love, but he just keeps saying he wants to give back," Habodasz said. "We're like, 'just let us give you this because you've given us so much throughout our whole life, all of us, so this is something that we can do, and we want to do it,' "

The Grey 5K Run/Walk starts at 10 a.m. Sunday. Preregistration is over, but same-day registration starts at 9 a.m. and is $30 with a shirt or $20 without. A limited number of shirts will be available for sale the day of the race. The event is self-timed. Participants will not be given chips or numbers, but a timer will be available at the end of the course. Due to the event being a benefit, no prizes will be awarded.

Additional donations can be given at St. Henry or Osgood banks and made to the Dan Thobe Benefit. Donations also can be made at the benefit's GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/DanThobe.

For more information, text or call Habodasz at 9;3;7;-65;7-9;1;8;0 or email her at m;ah;k;mh;@;aol;.;c;om.