August 15, 2009 was a beautiful summer morning at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. By 8:00 am the Mountains of Hope Foundation banner was hung to welcome more than 350 participants of all ages.  Families came together representing three generations - . grandparents, parents and children – who turned out that morning to support advanced breast cancer research and the Ireland Cancer Center, beneficiary of the Foundation’s 2009 Zoo Walk for Hope.

The pavilion was alive with music provided by John Pojman of Rolling Thunder Productions. Songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” added an appropriate touch.  After a few heartfelt words of welcome by Al Gula, Jr., Foundation Chairman, the 5K walk got underway led by the big, pink, fuzzy creature, Cleveland Indians’ mascot, Slider, a friend to both the Foundation and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Slider led the walkers along a path roughly 3.1 miles – past the many scenic attractions the Zoo has to offer: primates, big cats, the Rainforest, giraffes, dinosaurs, and so many others. 

Most of the participants had donned their Walk tee shirts – the Foundation’s signature dark purple with white logo and the many event sponsors parading down the back.  There was a sea of purple that day at the Zoo as families stayed on after the walk and enjoyed a day with the animals.

Our heartfelt thanks to each of the participants for their support, to those who made donations but were unable to be with us, to the doctors and staff of University Hospitals, and to our sponsors:

Betty Bowers, Father Bill Dickinson

Rosemary Blessing, Dolores and Al Stansfield

Wynocker Family, Barry Family, Woodlawn Estates,
Apostle Family, Synk Family, Kuhnle Family, Paul Family

And, a special thanks to the co-chairs of the event, Kathryn Kuhnle and Annette Paul, their committees and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure a fun, well-organized event.

However, the best part of the walk is the money that was raised to benefit the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals. We’re proud to announce $15,300.00 was raised in conjunction with this event.  These funds, along with the $32,000.00 generated from the second annual Foundation golf outing, will allow the Foundation to donate $48,000 to the Ireland Cancer Center this year. As always, every dollar raised will be invested in advanced breast cancer research. The progress and results of our funding will be shared on this site in the upcoming months.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the success of the first annual Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation “Walk for Hope”.

With gratitude,

Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman