Mud run donates thousands to Construction Angels

SALEM — The Salem Mud Run crew memorialized Pearson Franklin over the weekend at the ninth annual event with cash prizes for winners, a memorial table, and a donation to Construction Angels.

Pearson played an important role in the facilitating of Salem Mud Run each year since Emily and Kurt Schinstock started the event.

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At the young age of 11, Pearson would jump into the mud run pit and hook up vehicles that needed towed out, he eventually helped in other ways with the event, and enjoyed working with friends on their mud run vehicles.

So, as they planned for their first mud run following Pearson’s death, the Schinstocks and Franklins wanted to honor his memory.

On that warm and breezy Saturday afternoon, Pearson was remembered throughout the event.

“We have a memorial for Pearson set up by his family,” the emcee for the event, Janis Powers said.

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Located near the trophies, Pearson’s family set up a memorial for the young man that was killed last October when a college student struck him with her car as he set out traffic barrels on the Great River Bridge.

The memorial included a jar for people to make monetary donations on Pearson’s behalf to Construction Angels.

“This is a company, a group of people, that provide help for families who have loved ones who’ve been killed in construction,” Powers explained. “It’s a very important group. They provide a very, very good service to families.”

According to Emily Schinstock, through proceeds from the event and donations from local businesses, they were able to donate nearly $2,000 on Pearson’s behalf.

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Additionally, for the first time ever, they gave first and second place winners in open, big truck, super stock, two-wheel drive, and street legal classes cash prizes totaling $3,600 in honor of Pearson.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com