Third road race marks memory of Simmons
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Brian Simmons

Over the course of the last four years George Simmons of Ashburnham has had to learn to live without his son, Brian, while keeping Brian's memory alive.

Brian was killed in Worcester by a drunk driver in July 2003 when he was 23 years old. Brian was a graduate of Oakmont Regional High School and the University of Massachusetts.

"There has been some healing," George said. "I think I am finally reaching the point where

can remember Brian and smile and think of the good times."

George and his wife, Judy Simmons, are preparing for the third road race in memory of their son, Brian, and spent some time this month finishing up last year's project.

"Each of the three years we have been able to make significant contributions," George said. "It keeps Brian's memory alive and that is really the goal. "

Last year the funds raised at the road race went to Kids Against Hunger, which is a program started in Minnesota and has packing centers throughout the Midwest and, now, in Canada.

George said after seeing Kids Against Hunger on the evening news, the family did some Internet research to find a location close to their Ashburnham home.

The second annual Brian's Gift Road Race was held last year when about 100 runners and walkers participated. This year the Simmons family is hoping for even more people to participate. FILE PHOTO

The group, found by Richard Proudfit, is focused on establishing satellites that use volunteers to raise funds to purchase, package and ship food in an effort to eliminate hunger in the United States and around the world.

George recalled Carl Nabien, who spearheaded the formation of the Canadian sites, saying that the United States has 47 sites and he would like to surpass that number in Canada by creating 52 sites.

The Simmons family chooses this organization in 2006 because of Brian's love of children.

"We chose this group in Canada for two reasons. First, because it was close enough to drive to, and secondly, because it was a chance to participate in the founding of this great cause in Canada," said George.

The Simmons and George's sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Jim DuFour, spent the weekend of Sept. 8 at the first foodpackaging site for the group in Canada.

"We didn't just want to send a check. We wanted to be part of it," George said.

The four worked with the other volunteers to package 22,000 meals to be shipped to a missionary site in Kenya, Africa, to feed starving children.

The food was purchased with the $5,000 raised at the 2006 Brian's Gift Road Race

"When we went up there I was kind of filled with trepidation… Were these people really committed, really serious about it," George said.

He was concerned because the permitting process had taken nearly a year. But he said he was so impressed when he got there.

"The people were so positive and so energetic," he said. "They had a big picture of Brian. They made Brian the centerpiece. Everyone was so committed and involved, it was great."

This year the proceeds of the road race will go to the William J Bresnahan Scouting and Community Center of Ashburnham.

"Brian used to take his swimming down there," George said.

Each year of the race the Simmons try to give the money they raise to a group Brian participated in or would have supported.

This year, because of the ties to Ashburnham's former swimming program and Brian's years as a Boy Scout George and Judy decided this was the perfect way to honor their son. Bresnahan Scouting and Community

Center Building Committee is working to raise money to build new community center for the Bo scouts at the corner of Main and River streets to replace the building that currently exists.

"They're a great group," George said. "They are really motivated. They have helped us out in recruiting people. They are going to do the cooking at the race."

George is also pleased because giving the money is also a way to honor Billy Bresnahan, who was the first Ashburnham resident to be killed in Vietnam during the war.

"He was a graduate of Oakmont. He was just a year ahead of Judy and I," George said.

George said this year there were over 100 runners and walkers pre-registered a week before the race, which is a large increase of the same time last year.

"A lot of people are talking about it. I think we finally have name recognition," he said. "I think we are going to be able to build on that. Keep making some positive contributions."

The third annual Brian's Gift Road Race will be held in Ashburnham on Saturday, Sept. 29. The race will start at Winchester Park, near the Ashburnham police and fire stations and the library.

The race is broken into two start times one for walkers - 10:30 a.m. - and one for runners - 11 a.m.

There will be a couple of auctions at Winchester Park as well as a yard sale, food, a DJ, face painting and a craft center for the children, George said.

This year, in addition to everything else that is being auctioned off, there will be a baseball signed by Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek as well as a book written and signed by Patriots Tedy Bruschi.

For more information on the road race, visit www.briansgiftroadrace.com or contact George and Judy Simmons at (978) 827-4714.