Top Stories

McDermott ready to tackle 100-mile marathon to support charities

  Joshua McDermott is taking a rather extreme way to make a difference for a pair of non-profit organizations this weekend.

  McDermott, co-founder of Grace Exchange non-profit discount store in the Bavarian Mall, will run in a 100-mile Ultra Marathon called the “Viper 200” on Friday, April 4, in Cordova, Tennessee.

  Dubbed “Miles for Smiles, Running to Make a Difference,” McDermott is fundraising for the I Support the 1% Veteran Food Pantry located in Frankenmuth and Love for a Child Kids Camp, which was founded in 2012 by Joe and Michelle Savalle of Oxford.

  McDermott and his wife Kim are sponsoring the event and also celebrating their first year in business in the Bavarian Mall.

  Up to this point, McDermott admitted the furthest he ever ran was in a 5K race.

  “I’m not really a runner, but I thought why not and give it a try, push it to the limit. Sometimes you have to do crazy stuff to make a crazy difference,” McDermott said.

  McDermott served in the United States Army for five years, 2001-2007, and was deployed to Iraq for the years 2004-05. He is a combat-wounded veteran and a sergeant with the 2^nd Battalion, 8^th Calvary Regiment, 1^st Calvary Division. For his valor, he earned the Purple Heart. . . . . . 

  .....To read this complete story and other featured articles in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving your weekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.