Diane Elrod, a longtime Oregon City resident, says she is honored to be Grand Marshal of 2012 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for the Arthritis Foundation.

The 5-kilometer route starts at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, at Portland’s World Trade Center, where more than 1,000 runners will don holiday-themed costumes for a benefit to fight the nation’s most common cause of disability.

Elrod thinks she’ll be able to exceed her fundraising goal of $1,500 this year, if people were on the fence to make a donation last year go for it. The name of her team is High Wire.

“Last year, I was so fortunate,” Elrod said. “Friends, family and co-workers were amazing in their generosity.”

For more information about the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, call Kim Lowry, 503-245-5695; email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .