Lake Orion has its very own calendar model, though it’s not quite what you would expect.
Mark D., a 1993 Lake Orion High School graduate who lives locally with his wife and two daughters, is featured in the 60-Mile Men’s 2009 calendar.
Mark (whose last name is being withheld per policy of the 60-Mile Men) is ‘Mr. June,? but there’s a catch.
‘My wife and I walked in the Michigan 3-Day event last year and stumbled upon the 60-Mile Men organization by running into the founder (Mr. January 2008) while on the walk,? he said.?
They joked about Mark posing in the calendar, and the next thing he knew, he was participating in a photo shoot ? and ‘baring all.?
‘The 60-Mile Men put together a calendar including the photographs of 11 other men and I who strongly believe in the Breast Cancer 3-Day and the difference it can make for thousands of people,? Mark said.
He noted that the calendar includes artistically placed items preventing full nudity. His calendar photo was taken at a baseball field.
A year after participating in the 3-Day for the very first time, Mark volunteered to crew for the Chicago event and posed in the calendar this year, in addition to walking in the Michigan 3-Day later this month.
‘It’s something we’ll probably be a part of as long as we can walk,? Mark said of him and his wife, who was seven months pregnant during last year’s event.?
‘It is safe to say that most of us are affected by breast cancer,? he said. ‘We are all connected to someone who either has it, is a survivor or is dealing with it in his or her family.?
According to Mark, the 60-Mile Men support, but are not affiliated with, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure event.
‘We exist to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer,? he said.
The calendars, which cost about $10 to produce and sell for a suggested contribution of $20, help in that regard.
‘Cancer does not discriminate,? Mark said. ‘It affects people of all ages, shapes and sizes.??
‘If you have the pleasure to view one of our 60-Mile Men Calendars, you will see that the calendar selection committee does not discriminate either,? he added.?
‘It contains ‘models? of all ages, shapes and sizes.?
The calendar men range in age from 19 to 67 and have participated in dozens of Breast Cancer 3-Days. In fact, at least one 2009 model will be participating in every 3-Day event nationwide this year.
Mark promises to keep walking, but as far as his future in modeling goes, he said the price would have to be pretty sweet to get him to pose again.
‘Let’s just say I haven’t had any other propositions yet,? he noted.
More information, as well as calendars and apparel items to support the cause, can be found at www.60milemen.org.
In addition, those interested in calendars can contact Mark at mrjune09@yahoo.com, and can help support his 3-Day fundraising efforts by visiting http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/MichiganEvent’px=1293348&pg= personal&fr_id=1185.