The Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch awarded $10,300 in grants to local schools, libraries and community organizations at its annual Holiday Run and Walk for Health Awards Breakfast held at the Lone Tree Golf Course Event Center.

Funding for the grants is generated from the proceeds from the Run and Walk held last December. The event, now in its 32nd year, is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch and Sen. Tom Torlakson. Other presenting sponsors this year included the East Bay Regional Parks District, Sutter Delta Medical Center, PG&E, Comcast and the city of Antioch.

Local organizations receiving $1,000 grants included the Orin Allen Rehabilitation Ranch, Antioch High School Key Club, Deer Valley High School Key Club, Contra Costa Police Athletic Association Kops for Kids, and the Contra Costa County Firefighters' Bykes for Tykes.

As part of the Run and Walk, schools, libraries, and police and firefighter organizations compete to register the most participants.

"The members of the Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to provide worthy community organizations with this grant support," said Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch President Frank Guarascio. "I want to thank the more than 550 runners who participated in the Holiday Run and Walk for Health, and our generous sponsors, for making these grant awards possible."

Torlakson was also pleased with the event. "It was great to see so many of the students, principals and community members who will benefit from these grants at the awards breakfast," he said. "It was a wonderful morning and a great way to promote outstanding organizations and living an active and healthy life."

In the elementary, middle and high school divisions, the first-place school is awarded $500, second place $300 and third place $200. In the elementary school division, Diablo Vista Elementary School finished first, John Muir Elementary School second and Mno Grant Elementary School third. Among middle schools, Dallas Ranch Middle School finished first, Black Diamond Middle School second, and Antioch Middle School and Park Middle School tied for third. In the high school division, Deer Valley High School finished first, Antioch High School second and Freedom High School third.

In the library participation challenge, the first-place library is awarded $1,000, second place $600 and third place $400. The Antioch Library finished first, the Pittsburg Library second and the Oakley Library third.

The police/fire challenge was won this year by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Training Center 160th Academy. Second place went to the Contra Costa Police Athletic Association and third to the Contra Costa Firefighters.



- Contributed by Craig Cheslog