If you’ve ever been part of a MarineParents.com, Inc., pack day since the fall of 2006, then it’s likely you know Sandy Deraps. She’s the one who has been there since the “barn” pack days at MarineParents.com founder Tracy Della Vecchia’s house. Sandy’s the one who leads the group in prayer before the volunteers get down to packing.

And she’s the one who lost her son, Marine LCpl Leon Deraps, who was killed May 6, 2006, while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. A Jamestown, Missouri, native, Leon was 19.

The fourth-annual five-mile LCpl Leon B. Deraps Scholarship Walk will be held May 5 in Jamestown. The event, which is open to walkers, runners, bicyclists and motorcycle riders, benefits the Leon B. Deraps Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Last year, 476 people participated in the event, which allowed the fund to award six $1,000 scholarships to Jamestown High School graduates. In three years, more than 1,100 people have participated, and the fund has handed out 14 scholarships.

You can pre-register before April 5, and all who register before April 20 will get a T-shirt; this year’s version is black with white lettering. Registration is $10 for children and $25 for adults; registration the day of the event is $30.

To register, send participant’s name, age and T-shirt size to: Kim Barbour at 21239 Highway179, Jamestown, MO 65046.

If you are unable to walk/run/ride but would like to participate by volunteering, please contact:
Omie Johnson at 660-849-2525 or omie@c-magic.com or Kim Barbour at 573-680-0055 or kim@millardfamilychapels.com.

For questions or directions contact: Dawn Cassil at (573)823-4813 or cassiLdm@centurylink.net

If you can’t make to the walk, consider making a tax-deductible donation. MarineParents.com staff members are participating in this year’s event, and our goal is to raise at least $500 for the scholarship fund. To donate, please click here.

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