Trending
PARSONS -- A major local annual fundraising event will return this year after being offered as a virtual-only event in 2021.
Registration for the 16th annual Run For It will open Friday, April 1. The popular event is a 2k walk and 5k race hosted by the Tucker Community Foundation.
"The purpose of Run For It is to raise awareness and support for non-profits, civic organizations and other charities throughout the Tucker Community Foundation's eight-county service area," Jeff Fellers, development director for the Tucker Community Foundation, said. "The program promotes a healthy activity and encourages local philanthropy.
"Throughout the years it has evolved into a solid challenge-grant program thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Foundation's staff, board of directors and numerous volunteers."
The 2022 Run For It will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 in Davis during the Leaf Peepers Festival.
The 2k course, for walking only, covers 1.2 miles around town, while the 5k is 3.1 miles and winds through town. The 5k is USATF sanctioned and the course is for walkers and competitive runners.
"More than 100 cash awards are given to team charities that raise the most awareness and support along with demonstrating the best effort," Fellers said. "We encourage nonprofit organizations to form teams and enlist sponsors for the team's cause. If a group needs help setting up a team or has questions about how to register or how to leverage funds, please contact us. We're happy to help."
Individuals or teams can register online at raceroster.com/58941 or visit www.tuckerfoundation.net/run to download an entry form, team registration or event packet.
Teams must register before Aug. 31. Racers can pre-register up to Sept. 18 or onsite Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24 and join a team.
The Tucker Community Foundation serves Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties in West Virginia and in Garrett County, Maryland.
Run For It raises money and support for the racer or walker's community cause of choice. Half of the entry fees, 100 percent of the team sponsor donations, and 100 percent of the race day awards are distributed to the cause represented.
The Tucker Community Foundation stresses that although the 2021 Run For It was a virtual race due to the coronavirus pandemic and the strict state laws regarding large gatherings, the event persevered and was a success. Run For It 2021 featured more than 1,000 virtual racers participating on 90 teams -- or non-profit organizations -- and raised more than $258,000 for area charities. These monies came during a difficult time for the organizations.
The Foundation challenges participants to raise team support for the community cause of their choice during a six-month campaign and then run or walk for that cause on Sept. 24. For more information on Run For It stop by the Parsons office or call 304-478-2930.
The Tucker Community Foundation manages more than 140 endowed funds providing annual scholarships and grants to nonprofits and charitable causes throughout the eight-county service area. Inspired by the flood of 1985, the mission of the Foundation is to create opportunities for the communities we serve. For more information on the Foundation or how to establish an endowed fund, call or visit www.tuckerfoundation.net.