POTSDAM – The 3rd Annual Walkin' for Willz 5K Walk/Run to Cure Juvenile Diabetes drew 319 participants and 37 corporate sponsors and raised $17,092 for juvenile diabetes research.

The 5K Route started in Ives Park and wound through the beautiful Clarkson University campus on a perfectly crisp sunny September morning.

Walk teams included local college and high school sports teams, fraternities and sororities, family and corporate teams.

Over $93,500 has been raised by the three Walkin' for Willz events for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Central NY, which serves people from St. Lawrence County with Type 1 or juvenile diabetes.

Entertainment was generously provided for the third year in a row by Cubby T. Clown & Co. and IYQ Balloon Decor (Chris Durand and Faye Ori of Norwood), Slightly Twisted progressive rock band led by Nick Rycroft of Colton, and T.J. Karaoke, who are Tom and Joannie Simpson of Massena,

Team Hoser, walking in memory of Andy Haas of Norfolk, had the largest team with over 35 participants and raised over $4,700. Team Hoser included a large component of Andy's co-workers from Al Smiths Superette & Pizzeria in Norfolk, who donated all of their tip money over many months to the event.

IYQ Ballon Decor provided a new balloon archway start/finish line in blue and orange in honor of 2005 Potsdam High School graduate Billy Howlett, for whom the Walkin' for Willz event is named.

Devin Edward (the Cure-iers) of DeKalb, was the highest individual fundraiser with over $1000 and was also recognized for his efforts to raise awareness of juvenile diabetes over the past year that included a local car wash, bake sale, gaming tournament, and enlisting American Idol Crystal Bowersox, who has Type 1 diabetes, as an honorary walk team member. Devin received a gift certificate to Gamer Craze in Canton that was matched in appreciation by owner Aaron Reardon.

An appearance was made by 2010 Miss Teen-ager New York Tiffany Arnold of Ogdensburg, who has also dealt with juvenile diabetes since early childhood. An awareness bike run in Ogdensburg is being held in her honor Sept. 17 sponsored by the Ogdensburg VFW.

For photos, visit https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=6ed7773640cf25f8&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&id=6ED7773640CF25F8%21611.

Information on the photos follows:

298 - Kinneys Billboard advertising the event along the walk

303 - Tiffany Arnold - 2010 Miss Teen-Ager NY

304 - Faye Ori of Cubby T. Clown & Co

305 - Emma Wells & Holly Shannon, Knapps Station, of the "Marching Molars" team

306 - Slightly Twisted rock band led by Nick Rycroft of Colton, NY

308 - Phi Kappa Nu - Sorority SUNY Potsdam

310 - Volunteers - Claire Sheehan & Johnny Prosper

316 - Team Hoser in memory of Andy Hass of Norfolk, NY

318 - Potsdam High School Volleyball team led by Julia Pahler raised over $700

327 - Team Hoser begins

336 - Over the bridge

342 - T.J. Karaoke (Tom & Joannie Simpson) of Massena, NY

347 - Isabelle Clark & Bridgette Manor of Hannawa, NY cross finish line

352 - Balloon Decor by Faye Ori, Norwood, NY

354 - Bridgette Manor, Laurie Mousaw & Bonnie Landi of Potsdam, NY

358 - Representing 3 annual event T-shirts - Donna Planty, Donna Noble & Diane Taylor, all of River Rd, Norwood, NY

362 - Tuckered out runners from the PCHS Volleyball team

363 - Mandy & Jamison Giordano of Hannawa Falls, NY cross the finish line

369 - Team Addie Green, age 3, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes this past July cross the finish line

373 - Team Jared Caskinette of Potsdam, NY

375 - The family of Dr. Lee & Ginger Akin, DDS of Potsdam, NY

384 - Team Cherry Street Crew (CSC) of Potsdam, NY in honor of Billy Howlett

385 - Team Jack Gordon of Potsdam, NY on bicycles

387 - Team CSC