The Nick Yengich/Grandma Gump Annual 5K Memorial Walk/Run
The Run is named after my brother Nick who was a journalist and Geraldine Ennis, also known as Grandma Gump. We began the Run the year after my brother's death at the tender age of 37 in 1984. The first year we had exactly 11 runners. We have expanded since then to as many as 200 runners. The Run is always held on the first Saturday in December (my brother*s birthday was December 6th) and held in Copperton, Utah, the closest existing and only remaining town near our family home in Bingham Canyon. The Enniss family joined us in adding a 5K Walk in honor of Judge Gerry Enniss in 1999. Gerry was the Draper City Judge and has been a philanthropist for years. Her son, Kevin, and I were classmates at Jordan High School (Class of 1968), and her participation has been a pure joy. All funds from the race are donated to a worthy recipient. This year they go to:
Stacy Hanson, a victim from the Trolley Square shooting that will be undergoing therapy as part of his recovery
Over the years we have developed a hard corps of Runner/Walkers who return every year; rain or shine, ice or snow, to Copperton Park for a little exercise and the Post-Race Bazaar at the Methodist Church. Those who fear the weather are always reminded of my Father’s injunction as he pointed towards the mine that claimed the City of Bingham–“We worked up there night and day, rain or shine, snow or sleet, burning heat or freezing cold- it didn’t hurt us-so go out and run, you’re not made of ‘sugar,’ a little snow or rain won’t melt you.”
I believe my brother would get a kick out of a Run in his honor since he never took a quick step for any purpose, other than chasing down a news story or a cold beer..
We have been blessed with having people who actually know how to put this race on year after year, including:
Richard Burnum Reese
Kathy Olsen
Valerie Williams
Paul Holmes
Myrleen Wright
The T-shirts from this long standing Run are sought after–for their unique designs (lately designed by my grandchildren). You can register for the run and get a T-shirt with our Print & Mail form here.
Proceeds this year will go towards the ALS (Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis) therapy development institute, on behalf of our friend, Michael Goldsmith, Professor of Law, at Brigham Young University. Professor Goldsmith has ALS also know as Lou Gehrig's Disease
Many have donated to benefit the the recipients of this cause. To see a list of donees, click here.
Past Donees
Prior to 1998, we donated to a little boy who needed a liver transplant, donating over $1000.00, and to another boy who needed a heart operation. The donation in that instance was also approximately $1000.00. In the Early years of the run we did not keep records of our donations.
•2005
American Liver Foundation forAshley Jeppson $4000.00
Good Samaritan Foundation for the homeless $1000.00
Utah Historical Society $150.00
•2004
Tamara Hamilton (Cancer) $1000.00
Utah State Historical Society $150.00
Huntsman Cancer Institute on behalf of Tamara Hamilton $150.00
•2003
Humane Society of Utah $1500.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
•2002
Image Reborn (Breast Cancer Research) $750.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
•2001
United Methodist Church/Highland Boys School $1100.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
•2000
Brian Carlson (car/bicycle accident victim) $1525.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
•1999
Calvary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund $2875.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
•1998
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
Children's Juvenile Justice Center $1009.77
•1997
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
Utah Chapter Hemophilia Foundation $1026.72
Olympus Gymnastics Booster Club $50.00
•1996
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
Salt Lake Commission - for Battered Women $1855.33
•1995
Juvenile Court Literacy Program $50.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
Juvenile Court Mentor Program $1200.00
•1994
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
Parent Support Youth Shelter $450.00
Dan Torgerson (medical procedure) $30.00
•1993
Utah Parent Center $600.00
Utah State Historical Society $50.00
Jordon High School Basketball $75.00
•1992
Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen $109.68
•1991
Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen $425.00
Utah State Historical Society $100.00
•1990
Holy Cross Bed $200.00
Utah State Historical Society $50.00
Catholic Charities $200.00
Centro Civico - Junior Jazz $200.00
•1989
Utah State Historical Society $50.00
Lynn McCue Hamilton $25.00
Ashley Jeppson
"Ashley is a beautiful young lady in the need of a liver transplant.
When Ashley was 6 months old, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Also known as CF. CF is a life threatening disease that affects the Lungs, Pancreas and the Digestive System. Because of this disease, she has recently been diagnosed with DF Related Cirrhosis of the Liver.
The only thing standing in her way of another lease on life is the high cost of a life-saving liver transplant. Although medical insurance will pay for most of the surgery, she likely will incur expenses of over $10,000 each year for the rest of her life for drugs and other medical necessities, which may not be covered by insurance. To help defray these costs we are accepting donations in her behalf to the American Liver Foundation. All funds donated to her account will go directly to paying expenses not covered by her insurance.
Ashley is 19, and engaged to be married to a young man which she has known for 3 years. Ashley and her fiancé, Grant Pope, have decided to wait to exchange their vows until after she receives her liver transplant. She is looking forward to receiving her liver so that they may celebrate and live a healthy life together. With your donations we hope she may gain the opportunity to see these dreams come true."
Any donations can be mailed to:
American Liver Foundation
Account number 0547
1425 Pompton Ave. # 3
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009