Hamilton Contractors Continues Gym Expansion Despite Vandalism

April 26, 2023---Hamilton Contractors today continue construction of the 5000 sq ft expansion of the gymnasium of the Run the Race Center despite the most recent vandalism to their on-site trailer. Crews will be on site Wednesday April 26 to pour the concrete floor. The trailer, which serves as a mobile office and operations center for Hamilton Contractors, was most recently vandalized on April 20, 2023. Damage for this crime alone is estimated at $14,000. Unfortunately, there is no surveillance video, and many say that the community needs to be aware that the criminals are damaging the Center and the good work that Rachel and everyone does here for the people in the neighborhood. They say that the worst part is that some of their own are damaging something they can rely on. "We are moving forward despite this latest crime, " said Hamilton Contractors President Bryan Hamilton. "If we didn't, it would mean the criminals won, and we won't accept that. The kids and Rachel are the real reason we are doing anything." Also this morning, students at the Run the Race Center will pray the St. John Bosco Novena and announce the formation of the Run the Race Gratitude Squad to hold a bake sale in appreciation of Hamilton Contractors. "The Racers were shocked when they heard that people would steal from them, from their Center, the neighborhood's Center," said Rachel Muha, Founder of the Brian Muha Memorial Foundation. "We don't want them to lose faith in mankind. Bryan Hamilton, Shawn Golden and everyone who works at Hamilton Contractors have been "teachers" to the Racers, explaining the building process as it goes along. They want the best for the Racers. Knowing the added work, expense and disappointment these break-ins cause them, the Racers want to do something to show their appreciation." This is the fourth time criminals have vandalized the trailer since the project began in July 2022, bringing to $30,000 the total amount of damages. "They even stole the ceremonial shovels we used to break ground," said Hamilton. "Now we take down the scaffolding every night and put it back up in the morning."

The Run the Race Center-- Overcoming Evil With Good

The Run the Race Center, part of The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation, is a well-known jewel in the neighborhood. Its driving force is 'Overcoming Evil with Good.'

The Center welcomes young people of all ages and serves as a fun, safe and productive place where young people can do their homework, get tutoring, play sports, do art, music, dance, tumbling and more. They are served home-cooked meals, can take food home from the food pantry, and most importantly can learn about God and how to live life His way. The Run the Race Center also serves as home to The Day School, which offers classes free of charge.

The Center also helps with utilities and rent and offers counseling and friendship. The Center hosts community parties and gives holiday food to families. The Center builds backyard gardens, does home makeovers, builds beds and takes the children on field trips and so much more.

All free of charge.

The Center does not ask for money from the city, county or state because they believe in neighbors helping neighbors and not needing the government's handouts. So people's tax dollars do not go to funding any of the services. Countless hours are spent every month raising money to help the children and families in the neighborhood.

The Center has been robbed, threatened and even spit on. Vehicles have been stolen. One of the buildings that The Center bought to convert into a community space and store run by area residents was vandalized and set on fire. There were two incidents when people brought guns into the parking lot. There were fights among the same young people that The Center was helping.

The Pile of Tires

In November, a pile of tires was dumped in the parking lot. The Center has no full-time janitor. It does have sky-high utility bills to pay so that The Center and The Day School can be open. There is no city trash pickup. The Center pays for its own dumpster and the service every month. They won't pick up anything that is left outside the dumpster. And they won't empty the dumpster if they can't get the truck up to it. Over the years, people have climbed into the dumpster and threw trash out in an attempt to look for food or clothes. Those people didn't put the trash back that they threw all over the parking lot. The Center was responsible for that, too.

The tires were removed by a wonderful couple who drove by The Center and saw the tires. They were delivering Thanksgiving food for five Run the Race families--more than forty people. They saw the tires piled up and put them in their truck and took them away. It is because of good people like this wonderful couple that The Center can help so many children and families. Neighbors helping neighbors. Overcoming Evil With Good.

The Gym Expansion and The Impact Campaign

The Impact Campaign, part of The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation, set a fundraising goal of $700,000t to expand the existing 5000 sq. ft. gymnasium to twice its size in order to provide ample space for league play, sports, gatherings, concerts and children's theater. The scope of the project includes new flooring, basketball hoops, bleachers, LED lights, a new roof, a new and effective HVAC system, expanding the stage and theater area to provide opportunities to learn prop design, construction, writing, public speaking and also building new dedicated changing rooms for our young actors and actresses.

Hamilton Contractors is building the expansion at a tremendous reduction in cost. Bryan Hamilton estimates the cost of building the expansion at between $1.6 million and $2.1 million. "We want to keep the project between $700,000 and $800,000," said Hamilton. "Certainly under $1 million. "

He said that the cost of the expansion is estimated to be between $1.6-million and $2.1-million and that his company is doing the work at a reduced cost with the goal of coming in under $1-million. To date, $700,000 has been raised through the Brian Muha Foundation's "Impact Campaign." The expansion comprises 5000 square feet, which doubles the size of the current gym.

St. John Bosco, The Patron Saint of Young People

The Run the Race Center is dedicated to St. John Bosco, the Patron Saint of Young People. The Run the Race Center's children, also known as 'The Racers,' pray daily for St. Bosco's intercession. Also, to show their gratitude to Hamilton Contractors, The Racers will hold a bake sale as the first project of the newly-formed 'Run the Race Gratitude Squad.'

The Run the Race Farm

You can do a lot with eight acres when you put your mind to it! We have a 3,000 sq ft. farmhouse, a very large barn, smaller barns, fruit trees, a vegetable garden, a treehouse, zip line, climbing ropes and lots of room to play football or just roam around and day dream. Our Racers learn about farm life, lots of little critters, insects and more. The children of Run the Race spend spring, summer and fall days at the Farm, playing, learning, eating and relaxing far from the noise and danger of the inner city.

Events and Trips

The children's lives are surrounded by violence, drugs, anger filled with obscenities, fear and more. They need relief. They need to get away. They need to see beauty, truth and goodness. That is why field trips, special parties and events are not a fringe activity, they are in the mainstream here at The Run The Race Club. We try to bring fun and that wonderful family atmosphere to the children as much and as often as possible.

Material Donations

Food, shelter, clothes, rent, utilities, furniture, appliances, s school supplies, school fees, and events all cost money. We do what we can to help families when the need arises and it arises every day. We pick up donated furniture, appliances, etc. at least twice a week and deliver it to families. We have a food pantry, we pay bills to keep the electricity, gas, or water on, we pay landlords so a family doesn’t get evicted. Those are the grim realities of life in the inner city.

History of the Brian Muha Memorial Foundation

Brian Muha Foundation/The Run the Race Club w was established in 2000 to provide exceptional enrichment and leadership development opportunities to young people in Columbus, Cleveland and Steubenville, Ohio. We give love and hope to children and young people through relationships with dedicated volunteers, mentors and tutors, who offer opportunities and activities that allow them to grow academically, physically, spiritually and emotionally. We see the beautiful value and dignity in each and every child and we have made it our mission to help them run the race of life and change the world. Our driving force is "Overcoming Evil with Good."

In 1999. Rachel's Muha's son Brian was murdered. At eighteen years old, he had his future before him. College graduation, a satisfying career, perhaps marriage, and a family. Family reunions and laughing with friends. Prayer. Travel. Hard work. Brian loved helping people and would go out of his way to help others in any way he could. Through Rachel's act of forgiveness and wanting to Overcome Evil with Good, Rachel established The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation and in 2005, The Run the Race Club. Other Foundation projects include The Run the Race Farm and The Day School. Rachel works every day without compensation. She says, "This is the most heartbreaking and the most joyful work I have ever done."

For more information about the Brian Muha Memorial Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit www.brianmuhafoundation.org/
For more information about The Impact Campaign, please visit Fundraisers | The Brian Muha Foundation.
For more information about Rachel Muha, please visit About Our Founder | The Brian Muha Found (brianmuhafoundation.org)
For more information about Hamilton Contractors, please visit Hamilton Contractors (hamiltongrp-ohio.com)

The Brian Muha Memorial Foundation is a registered 501(c)3. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

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