Fourth Annual Blues on Barton Raises Over $16,000 for Karing for Kyla

The fourth annual Blues on Barton could be described as more than a success this year.

The event, put on by Justin and Michelle Sather of Churchill Club, started as an informal block party and has grown over the years to raise money for deserving families or groups in Oswego.

Last year’s event was dedicated to the Eric Lederman family and the group raised $2,263.

This year that number was blown out of the park.

“The first two years as an informal fundraiser/backyard party we raised a combined $4,000 in raffle ticket sales,” said Justin Sather. “This year, between the 5k, donations from sponsors and the raffle we raised $1,969 for the National Brain Tumor Society and $16,031 for Karing for Kyla.”

Karing for Kyla is a fundraiser for Oswego 7-year-old Kyla Hartigan and her family. Kyla is confined to a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy and the family has hopes to install an elevator in their home so Kyla can visit other floors more easily.

Sather said there were a total of 238 runners for the Blues on Barton 5k and 95 kids participated in the kid fun run. “Our numbers came close to established runs like the Sweetness Run in Yorkville… and the PrairieFest 5k,” said Sather.

Top sponsors for the event were Crossfit of Oswego, Michelle Sather Coldwell Banker Honig Bell, Thomas Orthodontics, Quick Signs, Shef Brothers Pizzas, Woodruff Johnson and Palermo, The Law Offices of Justin J. Sather, Bouncetown, Hillstone Structural Servics, Bannerman's Sports Grill, Brian Bemis Automtive Group, Kumon of Oswego.  Chick Fil A, Massage Envy and 95.9 the River were all on-site sponsors. 

Sather said they are already prepping for the second Blues on Barton 5k and the fifth Blues on Barton, set for Aug. 2, 2014.