Semper Gratus' Santa Shuffle charity run and dinner raises money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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Semper Gratus' Santa Shuffle charity run and dinner raises money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Tawnya Panizzi | Sunday, July 11, 2021 12:01 a.m.

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review

Mary Told, 43, of Sarver dressed in festive Christmas attire while participating in the Semper Gratus Santa Shuffle 5K race held outside the West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall on Saturday, July 10, 2021. About 170 people participated.

There was no snow or reindeer, but the Santa Shuffle went off without a hitch Saturday in West Leechburg.

The 5K/one-mile foot race, hosted by the nonprofit Semper Gratus, was expected to raise $15,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Participants, many in holiday-themed costumes, stepped off at 9 a.m. at the West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall along Gosser Street.

Ian Coyle, founder and president of Semper Gratus — Latin for “always grateful” — said supporters have remained ardent despite the pandemic.

Hand sanitizer was placed along the course.

Later in the day, the firehall hosted a Santa Shuffle dance, which honored the late Chrystal Dawn Fry. Fry died this year from complications of acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood.

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