As the participants arrived for the 7:00am registration they were encouraged to eat a light continental breakfast, stock up on water, and participate in the 7:30 warm-up Jazzercise class taught by Bon Joni, (Cadet Joni Alvarez) and Crestmont’s very own personal trainer, Cathy Renouf-Hill. As the Jazzercise and Rally came to a finish the Derby was about to begin.

After a prayer was offered by Ambassadors of Holiness Vice-President, Cadet Sheryl Skelton, a class-photo was taken, the children were gathered and the vans were loaded. Finally, we were all bound for Torrance Beach to begin the Derby!
Ready! Set! Go! When everyone departed from the starting point, it was a blur of neon colors and big hair that went racing down the bike path. People were walking, running, roller skating, biking, skateboarding and more! It didn’t matter how you participated in this fund-raiser, but being active was part of the entire motivation behind the World Services fund-raising event.

"D'Fad was an awesome way to have fun as a family, while working out and staying fit. It was totally great that our friends from across the Territory got to be a part of the event by sponsoring us to (bike/scooter/walk/stroll) along the beach. Helping out the less fortunate is a major part of our spiritual journey. To be able to raise money and awareness for Salvation Army programs in other countries, while wearing rocking 80's clothes, was most definitely a fantabulous experience!" - Cadet Misty Raup (Ambassadors of Holiness)

Some completed 3 miles while others went half-way. With Hydration-Stations along the way, quite a few people completed the 39-mile fashion faux pas adventure, but Andrew Tello (Kelsey) – 10 year old son of Cadets Sean and Bonita Kelsey - completed all 39 miles with a smile: “Biking 39 miles was kinda hard, but I had a good time! I am glad that I helped raise money for other countries” - Andrew Tello (Kelsey), Age 10

Cadet Willie Bland, of the Prayer Warrior session, completed the 39 mile course for the second time. While Cadet Bland had taken a bit of a detour last year and was MIA for a few moments, Cadets Jillian and Michael O’Brien (Prayer Warriors) were thrilled and relieved that he returned in a timely fashion this year.

Cadet Kim Boyd (Ambassadors of Holiness; Treasurer) reports that Derby for a Difference raised record breaking totals through pledges and general monetary donations. All monies raised will go to The Salvation Army World Services. "The day and the time were well spent. We enjoyed our time with our family and friends while enjoying the beautiful surroundings and weather, and we can't forget it was all for World Services. We are blessed and we are a blessing." -- Cadet Sheryl Skelton (Ambassadors of Holiness)

Upon completion of the Derby, all participants returned to Crestmont for a Bodacious BBQ that consisted of music, awards, food, fellowship, and relaxation.

Making a difference in the lives of so many people is a beautiful thing; being able to dance, wear crazy clothes, and spend time with friends during the process - is priceless.