Register for the Sept. 19 Sunshine 5K at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/
GREENVILLE – The Sept. 19 Sunshine 5K in Greenville City Park will raise funds for seven local nonprofit organizations. Participants may direct their registration money to the charity of their choice. Knowing that their fee is going towards a valuable cause makes participation more meaningful. The event is hosted by the Darke County Foundation.
This year’s beneficiaries of the Sunshine 5K are Team AddieGirl for the Cancer Association of Darke County, Darke County Pregnancy Help Center, Darke County Senior Citizens Center, DeColores Montessori School, Edison College Foundation, Final Bow Center for Children’s Performing Arts, and LifeWise Academy Greenville.
Team AddieGirl was formed in 2013 by Beckie Shumaker of Greenville to support her granddaughter Addie who was undergoing cancer treatment. The team’s mission was to raise awareness of childhood cancer and support other families affected by cancer. Addie is now a healthy and active 20-year-old. Team AddieGirl has run in many local 5K races, including the Sunshine 5K, and has raised $31,000 for the Cancer Association of Darke County and Dayton Children’s Hospital.
Shelly and Bill Haber of Greenville are founding members of Team AddieGirl. They have run the Sunshine 5K 13 times since the Darke County Foundation started hosting the event in 2013. Prior to that, between 2006 and 2012, the Habers helped organize a similar event called Mandy’s Sunshine Run.
Mandy’s Run was a fundraiser in memory of Greenville resident Mandy Green, who died of cancer at age 10 in 2005. As good friends of Mandy’s parents, Jesse and Tammy Green, the Habers helped build a scholarship fund that provided awards to every one of Mandy’s classmates who applied in 2013, the year Mandy would have graduated from Greenville High School. That year, 39 GHS seniors received $70,000 from the Mandy Green Fund, administered by the Darke County Foundation.
“It became obvious how many families were affected by cancer, and the race became a way to support those families,” said Shelly. “The Sunshine 5K always feels like a reunion of friends more than a race. Many participants have been a part of the race for many years, and most are walking or running for the cause, not the competition,” said Shelly. “The rest are there for the homemade cookies!”
Another group with strong support at the Sunshine 5K is DeColores Montessori School in Greenville. Last year DMS had 188 participants on its team. Nancy Dean is the principal of the school.
“This wonderful family event brings our community together for fun, fitness, delicious homemade snacks, door prizes and lots of sunshine in the hearts and faces of the participants,” said Nancy. “The proceeds we earn allow DeColores students to participate in field trips across the curriculum in science, math and language arts. We are incredibly grateful to the generous sponsors whose support makes this special event possible.”
Sign up for the Sunshine 5K and the group you would like to support at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Greenville/SUNshine. The fee through Sept. 9 is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 14 and under (with shirt). Fees increase on Sept. 10. Youth price with no shirt is $5.
Major sponsors of the Sunshine 5K are Reid Health, Wayne HealthCare, Family Health, and King’s Poultry.
