News

Fun Run to benefit Catholic Charities planned for August

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

A fun event for an important cause will debut this summer in Green Bay.

The inaugural Charity Challenge Family Fun 5K Run will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. All proceeds benefit the work of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay. Catholic Charities assists more than 40,000 individuals and families in Northeast Wisconsin annually with adoption services, budget counseling, Hispanic outreach, mental health and pregnancy counseling, and refugee services.

The run coincides with Artstreet, Aug. 24-26 in downtown Green Bay.

"During Artstreet weekend there is already a vibrancy downtown, so we can feed off that energy and contribute to that energy," said Eric Blumreich, coordinator of the Charity Challenge. "This event is for anyone - runners, walkers, families, parish teams and corporate teams."

The Charity Challenge route includes stretches on North Madison Street, Main Street and the Fox River Trail. The finish line will be at the Cathedral. A pancake breakfast follows the race.

"We really wanted an event in downtown Green Bay especially because the Cellcom Marathon moved out of downtown," said Blumreich, development specialist for the Catholic Foundation. "It's an urban run, great for people who don't get downtown much to see the changing face of downtown Green Bay."

The entry fee is $15 per person or $50 per family. The fee includes a Charity Challenge T-shirt and the pancake breakfast. Prizes will be awarded. Volunteer opportunities are available.

"We need volunteers at registration, on the route, marketing the event, at the pancake breakfast, distributing posters," said Blumreich. "There is no volunteer job that is going to be too difficult. We are depending on parish leadership for parish support for both participants and volunteers."

"I would love to see 500 participants," he added. "We're not excluding serious runners, but the goal isn't to recruit all the serious runners. It's the type of event that's good for first-timers as an introduction to the running culture. It's not so focused on the competitive nature. The goal is for people to enjoy the event and to share the good work that Catholic Charities is doing in the 16 counties within the diocese."

To ensure a T-shirt size, register by Aug. 10. Corporate and organization sponsorship opportunities are available. Major sponsors and donors will be recognized on the Charity Challenge T-shirts and on sponsor boards. For a registration form, or information about volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact Blumreich at (920)272-8162 or e-mail: eblumreich@gbdioc.org.