Tilton
Toe-to-Tow 5k & Car Show
5 Years of Giving to residents of Vermilion County!
Our Team
We love raising money for the community!
Ryan Washkowiak
President
Ryan M. Washkowiak created the Tilton Toe-to-Tow 5k & Car Show in 2016 after losing his aunt and grandmother to Lung Cancer. Ryan is a graduate of Danville High School and Danville Area Community College. He is currently enrolled at Indiana State University where he is continuing his education to obtain his bachelors degree in business administration. Ryan also serves as the youngest board member for the Village of Tilton, IL. He is currently enrolled in EMR class with the East Central Illinois EMS Office.
Scott Mitchell
Vice-President
Scott A. Mitchell serves as the Vice-President of Operations for the Tilton Toe-to-Tow 5k & Car Show. Scott is a native to Tilton, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Scott is a graduate of Danville High School, and Currently works as an operator with Big O Construction in Tilton, IL .
Our Volunteers
Michelle Burks
Fred Burks
Judy Mitchell
Sherri Boswell
Janet Payne
Ronnie Payne
Jessica Mitchell
D.G Washkowiak
Beth Washkowiak
Carrie Washkowiak
Rich Washkowiak
Dylan Washkowiak
Zoe Washkowiak
Anna Mitchell
Amy Haskins
Cameron Haskins
Hadley Borst
Kyle Borst
Lindsey Borst
Judy Henderson
Debbie Henderson
Linda Biava
Mario Biava
Our Story
The Tilton Toe-to-Tow 5k & Car Show was created by Ryan Washkowiak, close friend Greg Phillips, and cousin Scott Mitchell together developed and began planning what would become the Tilton Toe-to-Tow 5K & Car Show to raise money for the Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, IL.
The whole idea sparked after Washkowiak lost two loved ones to lung cancer within a one-and-a-half year time span. His maternal grandmother, Judith Briggs, passed away in July 2014. Then his aunt, Kara Boyer, lost her short battle in December 2015. Kara enjoyed the love of owning and caring for horses, riding motorcycles and spending time with her grandchildren. She loved being outside camping, mushroom hunting and fishing. Kara began her treatments at the cancer center with Dr. Jomel Labayog, the center's medical director, along with Dr. Jaidev Soni, a radiation oncologist. Kara enjoyed the entire staff at the local cancer center who always went above and beyond the call of duty.
An avid runner, he hatched an idea to hold a fun run and walk and donate the proceeds to the center where his aunt was treated. After getting support from his uncle, Brian Carnaghi of Carnaghi Towing, Mayor David Phillips, and others, he launched the Toe-to-Tow 5K walk and run at the Tilton ballpark on Aug. 20, 2016.
The inaugural event drew about 80 participants, who crossed the finish line under a banner flown from two semitrailer tow trucks and raised $4,533 for the center.
In 2017, the event fell on Aug. 19. Although there were a number of community events and activities going on, it still drew about 80 runners and walkers, from 2 to 78 years old. A car show was added to the event line-up with the help of his god parents Fred and Michelle Burks of Burks Automotive in Westville.
In addition to donating money to the cancer center, Washkowiak also established two, $250 scholarship for graduating seniors at Danville High School in his aunt's memory. Come December you think Washkowiak and his team would enjoy their off season, however that is not the case! In 2017, Washkowiak created the Tilton Toe-to-Tow Charity Toy Drive for families in Vermilion County.
Washkowiak is a 2017 graduate of Danville High School and a 2019 graduate of Danville Area Community College where he earned his associate degree in business administration and plans to transfer to Indiana State University and earn his bachelor's degree in business administration.
To date, Washkowiak and his staff have donated a grand total of $21,373.93 to the Bobette Steely-Hegeler Cancer Center. This year event is scheduled on August 17, 2019 at the Tilton Ball Park!
Unfortunately a world pandemic of the COVID-19 caused the event directors to cancel the 2020 event.