Teacher completes marathon to raise money for area family

STRUTHERS -- June Baker finished the Columbus Marathon on Sunday and raised an estimated $4,000 for her neighbors in the process.
In an August article in The Vindicator, the Renee Drive woman said she wanted to finish her first marathon to raise money for the Miranda family, whose infant son Tyler has an unidentified brain disorder.
Tyler was born 11 weeks premature, weighing just over 1 pound, and has spent six months of his life in a hospital. A CAT scan showed calcification over parts of his brain. He has also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Their medical bills have ballooned to more than $1 million.
Baker, 37, said she finished the race in 3 hours, 58 minutes -- two minutes under her goal.
"It was ugly," she said.
But her effort didn't go unnoticed.
The Boardman grade school teacher said the Mirandas have received donations and words of encouragement from individuals and organizations from around the country. Some of the organizations have offered to help cover the family's medical bills.
Donations are still being accepted. For more information, contact Edwin and Sonja Miranda at 136 Helena Dr., Struthers 44471.