No record? No problem: 'Soaring Hearts' sets Mentor sky simultaneously streaming with kites
May 22—In the end, chalk it up as an A for effort....a collaborative step-up-to-the-plate endeavor seeking to make history.
Crossroads Health, with its inaugural biennial "Soaring Hearts" fundraising event, put forth a valiant effort to establish a new Guinness World Record, with community- and nation-wide contributions, in casting off, simultaneously, more than 12,350 flying kites.
According to the nonprofit, it, naturally, would have loved to do so....
In the end, it didn't happen.
In the end, weather May 21 at Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor, and lack of wind gusto, in addition to a dearth of sheer numbers, precluded the mark from being challenged.
In the end, however, another goal, perhaps the overall loftier, not so attention-grabbing goal, secured its place in that of raising awareness and support for mental health, integrated health, and recovery — a reality far distanced from what some might cynically label dismissive participation certification.
"This event connected the whole community and more," said Crossroads Director of Marketing Wade Foley. "The last few years have been difficult for just about everyone due to the pandemic, so we wanted to provide an opportunity to gather together safely, outdoors, and try to bring a world record to the area, as well as have a fun time with friends and family while supporting a great cause."
According to the nonprofit, the kite-flying record was set in the Gaza Strip in July 2011.
While cumulative numbers of kiting enthusiasts were hazy to gauge right away — many attendees showed up without registering — word solidly reached, as participants from as far away as Florida joined the venture.
For Crossroads CEO Mike Matoney, official "numbers" only matter when it comes to drive-ins, hand grenades and horseshoes.
"The concept for 'Soaring Hearts' directly aligns our outreach efforts and special events with our community-based mission, vision and values. One of our core values is belonging, and I cannot think of a more inclusive event — an event for all ages, at all stages of life."
— Crossroads Chief Development Officer James Wyman
"The turnout was great and we'll continue to strive forward, despite the possibility of uncooperative weather (in the future)," he said, affirmatively. "No matter what, this was positive all-around."
Chief Development Officer James Wyman concurred.
"The concept for 'Soaring Hearts' directly aligns our outreach efforts and special events with our community-based mission, vision and values," he said. "One of our core values is belonging, and I cannot think of a more inclusive event — an event for all ages, at all stages of life.
"Our partnership with Guinness (World Records) and our many collaborators, including local and state partners such as Headlands Beach State Park, the (Ohio) Department of Natural Resources, the Mentor Police and Fire departments, the Lake County Sheriff's Office, and the Lake County Visitors Bureau, just to name a few, make this is an event like no other."
Crossroads Health offers a continuum of recovery and mental health programs and services for all people, at any age or stage of life. Visit www.crossroadshealth.org/ for more information.
