Team Zack Updates
If you have any updates that should be shared with the rest of Team Zack, feel free to contact
us. Team Zack Updates
If you have any quesitons or concerns you can contact
Karena Shell or
James Shell
September 21, 2009
Dear Team Zack members:
Hello All! Just thinking today, and Zack keeps coming across my mind. I just want anyone to know
that if you are missing him or thinking about him, you have friends. Zack is still burning bright in
the hearts of many.
September 13th marked one year after Zack's passing, and I (as do many) still think about him and
how he has affected our lives. Zack has encouraged us to strive for better, and everyone that knew him
was affected by him. Feel free to contact Karena for anything.
She is a great soul; there is so much of Zack still with her. She is amazing, and welcomes anyone.
Recent article by Zack's
Grandfather, Dick Yarbrough.
Still on my mind Zack Wansley.
December 10, 2008
Dear Team Zack members:
It’s hard to believe a whole two weeks has passed since we got together and I wanted to take one
more chance to thank everybody for the wonderful turnout we had on Thanksgiving for this wonderful
memorial/celebration.
What a pleasure to have such a wonderful day, an excellent turnout and an enthusiastic group of
supporters for our “AWESOME” project.
Thanks again to the Nike Store, the Atlanta Track Club, the many helpers we had in shirt distribution
and printing, Tia for running the website, and of course, the enthusiastic participants who made the whole
thing happen.
We were able to raise another $300 for Zack’s charities, by your donations.
If you have some pictures that you would like to share, I hope you will forward them to
Tia (tia.doppenberg@gmail.com) and if we are really nice to her, maybe she will post them on our website
There is some talk of a Team Zack 2.0 event at next year’s Atlanta Marathon/Half Marathon.
There was even some talk of an occasional “Team Zack” meetup at the Braves and/or some other place for
some social interaction and/or some refreshments. We know that Zack would have wholeheartedly approved of
such a thing and would have been the first in line to sign up. Watch for word of this in the near future.
(We will of course let some of the slightly younger people organize this, so as not to cramp their style).
Thanks once again for having our memorial/celebration be such a success! We hope that our small gesture
will help do just a little good and carry on the fond memories of our friend Zack.
Thanks again
Jim
November 25, 2008
Atlanta Marathon Project TODAY!
November 23, 2008
Hello Team Zack Friends!
T-shirt distribution will be as follows:
Tuesday, November 25 5:30-8PM at the Expo (where you pick up your packets)
Wednesday November 26 5:30-8PM at the Expo
InterContinental Hotel, 3315 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA (404) 946-9000
Thursday November 27 (Race Day) 6:00 AM-10:00 AM at the Marathon Start/Finish (Turner Field Parking Lot)
We will identify ourselves in some conspicuous way. The Team Zack shirts are bright blue, with white
lettering. Look for us at the Expo and before the race. We will have a white tent and blue flag so you can
find us. Spectators are welcome to bring chairs and sit with us as we wait for finishers to come in.
c. Half marathoners will meet in front of the toilets (at the start line) about 15 mintues before the start,
which is at 7am. Most of us will be in the slower corral, and we will be able to start together. The speedier
ones can feel free to start up front with the rest of their group.
d. Marathoners (there are fewer of you) try to find one another at the start.
e. We will meet up at the end of the race/where the refreshments are and gather at the finish line a little
before the 3-hour mark (about 10:15) We will give instructions and do a few warmup cheers at that time.
We have 160 people already signed up, and we have a few extra shirts, so if you know of someone who would
like to join us, it would be great to have a body in those extra shirts. Also, The Weather Channel will be
covering the race, and has been tipped off about our salute to Zack.
Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks.
James Shell
November 19, 2008
Hi Friends!
The shirts are in and look great. We are now waiting for the printing to be finished. The shirts will
be available as of Tuesday, Nov 25. I know that is close to the race, but hopefully we can get everyone's
shirts to them on time.
We will try to have a table set up at the Expo for the race (that's where you're supposed to pick up
your race number and such) on Tuesday and Wed. I highly encourage you to coordinate with friends to pick
up a bunch of shirts at a time, so less people have to travel. We will also be set up on race day before
the races, and we'll try our best to be at the start line. We will have posters and a navy blue flag so
you can find us easier.
We have a surplus of about 40 shirts, so if you did not get one but want one or know of someone who wants
one we have the extra to go around. Sizes however may be limited. Email me if you want one.
Karena Shell
Again, shirts are $5. You can pay when you pick up the shirt or send me a check to:
Karena Shell
2055 Laurel Lake Dr
Suwanee, GA 30024
Any extras will go toward one of his foundations.
Don't forget decals are $3 as well. Bracelets are limited but there will hopefully be some available.
Be on the look-out for more emails to come in the next few days because we'll have more times available
for you to pick up the shirts.
Also, on race day we will be receiving a bunch of media attention (11 alive, weather channel, etc...)
and need AS BIG OF A CROWD AS POSSIBLE around the 3 hour mark to cheer on Justin. We will have a "Camp
Zack" set up at the finish east side where we can all stand together (there is talk of maybe doing the
wave at the finish??)
Hope to see you there.
Karena
November 1, 2008
Last day to get Team Zack Tshirts!
October 17, 2008
A car decal was made by Mandy Bragg in Zack's honor. She ordered 200 of them, and can easily
order more if needed. Each sticker will be $3. All the extra money earned will go to Zack's funds.
It is 5 in. x 5 in. The order should be in within a few days, so please let Mandy know how many you
would like.
The decals can be picked up in Athens, or Mandy can mail it to them if money is sent to her.
Mandy's address is
175 International Drive
Apt. 616
Athens, GA 30605
If you would like to order the decal, contact Mandy Bragg.
Or if you have any quesitons about the decals, contact Mandy.
October 15, 2008
Remember to sign up for a shirt by November 1st!
October 15, 2008
The T-shirt sign up was updated, and there is now a section where you can sign up for more than one shirt if the others live at the same address. Just please be sure to include all the names, emails, and shirt sizes.
October 14, 2008
Zack's grandfather, Dick Yarbrough, wrote a beautiful article in the Cherokee Tribune
about Zack.
Article On Zack
October 7, 2008
Please have your T-shirt submissions in by November 1.
A week before the race, there will be scheduled times to pick up your shirt, including
the morning of the race.
If you would like to pay the $5 donation for the shirt already, you may do so buy
sending cash or check to:
Karena Shell
2055 Laurel Lake Drive
Suwanee, GA 30024
October 6, 2008
On Saturday, September 27 the Mill Run was held at Boundary Waters Park. The top male
and female received an award in Zack's name.
The Zack Wansley Spirit Scholarship was also presented to a student who was selected by
his coach for having exceptional character.
October 6, 2008
So far 130 acres have been purchased with the donations in honor of Zack!
October 3, 2008
Please go to the "T-shirts" Tab to sign up for a Team Zack T-shirt.
Please only select one option for one person. For instance if a family of three would like
to get a shirt, please fill the form out three times. This will help us get a better count for
the shirts needed.
Please include all necessary information: Name, email address, mailing address, and size.
T-shirts can be picked up the day of the race or the previous day. Locations are TBD, but you will
be notified.
Thank you again for all your support.
October 2, 2008
www.teamzackatlanta.com is up and running.
Please watch the website carefully for any updates that come across.
September 15, 2008
We will be running/walking the Atlanta Half marathon on Thanksgiving morning.
His life goal was to race that marathon, and we would like to honor him there by
wearing shirts that say "Team Zack". If you would like to participate we will be happy
to get you a shirt as well, go to the T-shirt section on the website. You can register online or you may come
and watch. I will be at the finish line at 3 hours, his goal time to finish. If you are
not interested in running or walking, we would love it if you could join us at the
finish line.
Information about the t-shirts will be coming soon. Nike is going to sponsor them
for us and we will have a website up shortly.
This is the website to register for the
race:
He was a beautiful person and I know he touched so many of your lives like he touched mine.
He is survived by his parents Ted and Maribeth Wansley of Palmetto; brother, Nicholas Wansley of Palmetto; girlfriend, Karena Shell of Atlanta; grandparents, Jerry and Marie Wansley of Ellenwood and Dick and Jane Yarbrough of Atlanta.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to two funds:
The Zack Wansley Spirit Scholarship care of United Community Bank of Fairburn, 65 Washington Street, Fairburn GA 30213. This scholarship will be presented to a high school senior runner of exceptional spirit and character as nominated by competing teams at the annual cross country Mill Run hosted by Chapel Hill High School.
Zack also grew up running through Cochran Mill Park in South Fulton County. He was very enthusiastic about the community?s effort to buy and preserve the park land and was planning to buy an acre of Cochran Mill Park. To donate to this conservation effort, send checks with a memo to: CHC Conservancy, Buy Our Parks Now, P.O. Box 204, Palmetto, GA 30268, Attention: Zack Wansley Memorial Fund.
A well known corporate sponsor has agreed to provide the T-shirts. Team Zack members may wish to make a small contribution to the two Zack Wansley foundations in honor of this event.