Join the Fun at the 8th Annual 'Scarecrow Skedaddle & Shindig' at Niswonger Children's Hospital!

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Sunday, the Ballad Health Athletic Center at East Tennessee State University came alive with the vibrant activities of the 8th annual ‘Scarecrow Skedaddle and Shindig’ festival, hosted by Niswonger Children’s Hospital in collaboration with The Goose Chase.

The event included a variety of races, starting with a 200-meter inclusive sprint, a one-mile fun run, and culminating in a 5K race. Post-race, participants gathered to enjoy the lively festivities at the “Shindig.”

Chris Jett, who leads the Niswonger Children’s Network as CEO, noted the impressive turnout, with over 400 runners participating this year.

“Races are a source of joy for everyone, and this event caters to top runners as well as some of our patients who require assistance to move, whether it be with a wheelchair or other support,” Jett shared with News Channel 11. “Our therapy services teams are dedicated to helping these patients experience the thrill of finishing a race, just like anyone else in the community.”

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“The goal is to engage the community, promote wellness, and really give an opportunity for our patients to participate in a race where they otherwise would not be able to,” he said.

One family invited to the event is the Pritchard family, whose son is an amputee after injuring his foot in a lawnmower accident. Emmett Pritchard was immediately cared for by the Niswonger Children’s Network, according to Emmett’s mother, Emily.

“They would hold a tablet in front of him [Emmett], just to make sure he was comfortable, and just we never knew how much we needed to rely on Niswonger Children’s Hospital until we were in a life-or-death situation,” Emily Pritchard told News Channel 11. “Everyone was so open and loving and made us feel like we were really heard.”

Emily said her son, Emmett, was thrilled to hear that other children with experiences like his would be in attendance at the race event.

“When we told him there were going to be other kids here like him with prosthetics and in wheelchairs and just all kinds of different things, he was more excited that he was going to have somebody he could compare to,” Emily Pritchard said. “Emmett was important and his care was important; that’s really what set Niswonger apart from everybody else.”

Jett said while the hospital is committed to caring for its patients, they are thankful to grow the community beyond.

“Niswonger Children’s Hospital is really about caring for our patients in the hospital and in our community,” Jett said. “Anything we can do to support our patients and our community, we love to do.”

For more information about The Goose Chase or to sign up for future races, visit its website.

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Join the Fun at the 8th Annual ‘Scarecrow Skedaddle & Shindig’ at Niswonger Children’s Hospital!

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Join the Fun at the 8th Annual ‘Scarecrow Skedaddle & Shindig’ at Niswonger Children’s Hospital!

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