Whitehall Area Rotary Club held its seventh annual Jungle Bell Run Dec. 2 along the Ironton Rail Trail. The event, featuring an 8-K run and a 5-K walk, concluded with festivities at the American Club of Coplay pavilion.

With attendance causing the parking lot to overflow, the celebration featured post-race awards, hot dogs, soups, hot chocolate and a basket raffle.

Costumes were encouraged with Rotary Club member Denise Continenza dressing as a Christmas tree, complete with a pine cone scent.

To make the event more special for the younger participants, Santa Claus visited with the children and listened to their Christmas wishes.

Rotary Club member Ed Hozza, former Whitehall mayor, took the role of hot dog coordinator. The hot dogs were distributed free of charge to the racers and other attendees.

The well-organized race was professionally timed by Bryn Mawr Racing Company. Race results can be found at brynmawrracing.com. Runners in various age-related categories received monetary awards.

There were numerous sponsors of the race/walk divided based on different levels of contribution as gold, silver, bronze and Friends of the Rotary. There was a large number of volunteers and Rotary members to staff the fundraising event.

Whitehall Area Rotary Club is active and goal oriented in pursuing its mission statement: “We provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.”

The club follows the 4-Way Test of things we think, say or do. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The club meets 7:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month as a breakfast business meeting in Zentz Community Center at Fellowship Manor, 3020 Fellowship Drive.

For membership details, call 610-769-9198.