Run, Eric, Run
52-Year-Old Keystone Alumnus to Run First Marathon to Support SPC Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Playground in Knox, PA
In an inspiring effort to give back to his roots, 52-year-old Keystone School District alumnus Eric Say is preparing to run his first marathon to raise funds for a cause close to his heart — the construction of the U.S. Army SPC Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Playground.
Like many rural school districts, Keystone faces ongoing financial challenges, especially when it comes to funding projects beyond the classroom. Fortunately, alumnus Brian Coll has stepped forward to help bridge that gap. After visiting the school, Coll was struck by two things: the outdated state of the elementary playground, and the limited visible recognition for Keystone graduate and Medal of Honor recipient, SPC Ross A. McGinnis. “Serving in Afghanistan and being a military veteran myself, I truly believe it's important to properly honor a true American hero who once walked these halls,” said Coll.
To both improve the playground and pay tribute to McGinnis' ultimate sacrifice, Brian and his wife Renee pledged a significant personal donation toward the project. But they also wanted to inspire broader community involvement. That’s when Brian approached his longtime friend and fellow Keystone graduate, Eric Say, with a unique idea.
“Eric and I have been friends since high school, and I know how much he loves to run,” said Coll. “It seemed like the perfect way to rally support for this meaningful project.”
Eric has been training for months, and on June 1st in San Diego, CA, he will run his first-ever marathon under the banner "Run Eric Run" — a fundraising campaign to support the new playground. Local residents may already be familiar with Eric’s training runs along Gibson Road just outside of Knox.
“There are so many people contributing to this project, from financial donors to those offering their time and labor,” Coll added. “Eric’s commitment and hard work are a huge part of that, and we hope the community will join us in supporting this effort.”
Once complete, the SPC Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Playground will feature a life-size statue of McGinnis, reminding every child who plays there of the hometown hero who once walked the same school halls — and the extraordinary sacrifice he made.
Construction is slated to begin in June, but additional funding is still needed. To support the project, please visit the Keystone School District Education Foundation’s website at KSDEF.org or call 814-797-5921.