Traditionally, The Boomtown Run Event has been a half marathon race that tracked through much of Joplin.  However, due to the tornado that ravaged neighborhood streets and homes, the debris left behind made it unsafe to hold the event.  Instead of canceling the popular event because of the storm, Boomtown was revived and expanded to become a Day of Caring for the Joplin community.  

Arvest Bank has been a supporter of the Boomtown Run event for a number of years, and therefore Arvest was excited to help Joplin and the new Boomtown Day of Caring event by providing breakfast for the near 300 volunteers that came to Joplin in support of the clean-up effort.  The inspired group of volunteers met at Memorial Hall in Joplin at 6:30 a.m. to begin their day with a memorial service.  

Event speakers included the director of the Boomtown Event, Audie Dennis; Arvest Associate and volunteer coordinator, Barbara Crump.  Special guests included Dan Mitchell, director of The Bridge; Musicians Rich and Ashley McCready performed “I Will Remember You” and “God Bless America” during the memorial service.  Closing comments were given by Jeff Galloway, famous Olympian, author, running coach, member of the RRCA hall of Fame and the Nike Walk of Fame.  

Following the service, guests were given the opportunity to visit various areas affected by the tornado.  It may not be a typical year for the community of Joplin, but it has become a year of compassion and support which has been contagious to all communities throughout the United States.