CONTACT:  Wendy V. Long, Public Relations

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Littleville supports triathlete’s charity

Huntington- It is not uncommon for Dawne Piers-Gamble, Littleville Elementary School teacher, to rally students, colleagues and families around good works for charity.

It might be a little uncommon that this year’s can and bottle drive at Littleville will support her brother’s efforts to help 2 young victims of sporting accidents.

Greg Piers (Gateway Class of ’83) has been competing in triathlons since 1997, but will compete in the April 2007 Ironman Triathlon in Arizona with a new purpose: supporting 2 young athletes whose promising careers ended in tragic accidents.

Piers first became interested when his godson, 16 year-old Drew Donnelley of Tuscon, Arizona, was paralyzed earlier this year.  Donnelley, a nationally ranked gymnast, damaged his spine during a tumbling run and is now confined to a wheelchair.

Last summer, Piers’ commitment to this fundraising project increased when another young person in his own community of Keene, New Hampshire was also injured.  Twenty year-old Kelley Goddu, a former swimmer for Keene High School, dove into a pool, hit her head on the bottom, and was instantly paralyzed.

Piers was inspired by both young people, and the rallying of their communities to help pay for their medical costs and other needs, to train for the April 2007 Ironman.  And he has organized a web-based fundraising effort, selling bracelets (akin to Lance Armstrong’s “Livestrong” wristbands) for a minimum donation of $5.  Blue bracelets for Drew, pink bracelets for Kelley. Those who wish to purchase a bracelet and/or make a donation can go to www.tri-4-Drew.com and www.tri-4-Kelley.com .

And he will come to Littleville Elementary School on Friday, November 17th to inspire his sister’s school in their kick-off assembly for the fundraising campaign.  Piers will speak with students at 9 a.m. on that date.

Meanwhile, his sister Dawne will be working with her school community to do their part.  Students and staff are turning cans into cash to support the two athletes. Anyone wishing to donate clean bottles and cans to the fund drive can bring them to Littleville Elementary School either before 8:30 a.m. or after 3:15 p.m., so as not to conflict with buses.  (Please note that the school cannot accept beer bottles). They will be collecting cans through March, with proceeds going to Drew and Kelley.