Friends of Elizabeth “Elle” Dean gathered at Cimi’s Bistro on Sept. 7 to celebrate the fruits of their labor after they helped raise more than $15,000 for charity during the inaugural Grove City Firecracker 5K that took place virtually throughout the Fourth of July weekend. The proceeds raised for the Elizabeth Dean Foundation will benefit Cure JM, the national Juvenile Myositis foundation that is spearheading research for the treatment and potential cure of the rare autoimmune condition that afflicts their 6-year-old pal. Elizabeth Hewitt, Elle’s aunt and the co-founder of the Elizabeth Dean Foundation, said she and her husband, Joel Wichtman, established the charity to raise awareness for the disease and raise funds for organizations researching treatments and cures for children diagnosed with unknown pathologies. Cure JM was selected by the Dean Family, who reside in Grove City, to be the benefactors of this year’s fundraising efforts. They said they hope it will be safe enough to make an appearance at the 2021 Grove City Firecracker 5K and any check presentation ceremonies that follow. “Elle was upset she was unable to attend either event,” said Hewitt, “but she said it would make her happy to see all of her friends accepting the check on her behalf.”
