Charles Weston and Paul Rakitin—two local businessmen, veterans and runners—presented the proceeds of their Nov. 8 inaugural Morgan Hill Veterans Day Run last week to three nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting American combat vets and their families. Weston, co-owner of Weston Miles Architects and a Vietnam veteran, and Rakitin, the owner of The Running Shop who served in Afghanistan in 2010-11, presented a check for $2,550 to representatives of three nonprofits. Pictured in the attached photo are (left to right) Rakitin; Ken Frickle of Team Red, White and Blue; Thaddeus Dickens of Mission Continues; Frank Keffer of Operation Care and Comfort; and Weston. Also receiving proceeds from the Veterans Run was The Muddy Patriot. The Nov. 8 Veterans Day run took a 5K route through Morgan Hill. They organized the event, which they hope will recur annually, not only to raise money for organizations that support their fellow veterans; they also wanted to raise exposure of these groups and people so that struggling vets know there is support available for them.
