(9/1) Thurmont's 'Gateway to the Cure' has raised more than $83,000 over the past six years for cancer research and cancer victim support programs at Frederick Memorial Hospital. This year, the pandemic is adversely affecting fundraising efforts said Vickie Grinder, who manages the program as part of her town economic development responsibilities.

The funds raised to date have come from multiple sources involving the Thurmont business community, with several new fundraisers added over the last several years, including the Covered Bridge 5K, Zumbathon, and "Gateway to the Cure" Golf Classic.

One of these, the Zumbathon, had to be canceled. Grinder said this would have been the third year for the Zumbathon, but the event was scheduled for indoors and would have been impossible to conform to state mandated COVID guidelines regarding social distancing.

The Covered Bridge 5K, now in its sixth year, is still scheduled for September 13, as it was deemed safe to hold because the participants are either spread-out over the course or tend to participate in cliques or small family groups. The 5K route begins and ends at Eyler Park. Those interested in participating can register at thurmontmainstreet.com, or by calling the town office. Registration ends on September 11.

Additionally, still scheduled is the Second Annual Golf Classic, to be held on October 9 at the Maple Run Golf Club. Golf is inherently a social-distancing event. Last year the event had 50 participants. So far this year, there are 20, but as Grinder she said, it is still early in the registration process.

There is an $85 per-golfer fee, which includes 18-holes of golf, a cart, a goodies bag, catered lunch and awards. Those interested in participating can register at thurmontmainstreet.com.

Another source of funds which will continue are those raised by local businesses who donate a percentage of their sales or the sale of a specified product for a certain period. Some 40-plus businesses have participated annually in this fundraising effort, Grinder stated. The October campaign with the business community is the core of ‘Gateway to the Cure.’

However, the program manager said, "Some of our funding will obviously be decreased this year," noting that some of the businesses that have participating in the donations of a percentage of their sales will not be able to participate this year. "Most (have already suffered as they) have been shut-down for two months" due to the pandemic. She also projected that patronage will be down from usual: "unchartered waters for sure."

"It's going to be a down-year for everybody," she stated, noting that non-profit organizations and services sustained funding loses, including fire and ambulance companies.

Additionally, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick noted that, as part of the fundraising efforts, the town is selling pink lightbulbs at Hobbs and Ace Hardware and the Town Hall. Residents and businesses are asked to illuminate the lights every night during October to show their support of cancer awareness. The bulbs will be available for sale beginning September 1. The town also sells specially designed ‘Gateway to the Cure’ apparel that can be purchased at the town office.