This year's Community Cares 5K on Saturday benefits Jim and Lorna Bulwan of Bayfield, who were injured in an explosion while they were on vacation in Mexico.
The fun run starts at 10 a.m., followed by the 5K at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Durango Community Recreation Center. Race day registration is from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. For more information about the race, call Ken Flint, the race director, at 903-2525.
The event is sponsored by First Baptist Church of Durango and is free, but a suggested donation of $10 will be given to the Bulwans.
The Bulwans were sleeping in the first floor of a vacation rental on Dec. 31 in Puerto Penasco when the building exploded. The second floor collapsed on top of them, and they were airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix for treatment. Jim Bulwan had hip replacement surgery, and Lorna Bulwan had surgeries on her back, ribs, broken arm and hand. They are still recuperating in Phoenix.
"We're just so happy that they're alive," their eldest daughter, Carrie Nicol, said in a phone interview. "My mom is in outpatient therapy and Dad is walking around pretty well. It's hard, but they're getting much better."
Nicol said her parents have always been physically fit and healthy, and she believes this has helped their recuperation.
"We also have a strong faith in Christ, and we believe he protected them," she said.
Her parents have lived between Bayfield and Ignacio for 22 years and her dad is well-known in the community as a high school basketball referee, as well as working at games at SunUte Community Center
The support from the community and First Baptist has been amazing, and the family is truly grateful, she added. The Bulwans have two other grown children, Jordan and younger daughter Layne. Nicol said the Bulwans are staying in Phoenix to continue their recovery, and she lives close by and is able to help them, as well.
The Bulwans were staying in Puerto Penasco on the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles south of the Arizona border. The blast came from a nearby gas or propane tank and could be heard across the city. Debris blew at least 50 yards from the home, according to local media reports.
