Register for the Sept. 20 Sunshine 5K at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Greenville/SUNshine
GREENVILLE – The Sept. 20 Sunshine 5K in Greenville City Park will raise funds for eight local nonprofit organizations. The event has pre-registered over 500 participants who directed their registration money to the charity of their choice. Knowing that their fee is going towards a valuable cause makes participation more meaningful.
This year’s beneficiaries of the Sunshine 5K are the Cancer Association of Darke County, Darke County Pregnancy Help Center, DeColores Montessori School, Edison College Foundation, Final Bow Center for Children’s Performing Arts, LifeWise Academy Greenville, LifeWise Academy Versailles, and Y.O.L.O. of Darke County.
The scenic route through Greenville City Park is one of many features participants enjoy. Another crowd favorite is the homemade cookies served at the finish line.
“The Sunshine 5K has the best post-race refreshments of any race,” said Beckie Shumaker of Greenville, captain of Team AddieGirl for the Cancer Association of Darke County.
Connie Harshbarger of Greenville has run for Team AddieGirl in all 13 of the Sunshine 5Ks, inspired by the hardships that cancer patients face.
“I would ask myself, ‘How can anything good come out of someone’s journey with cancer?’” said Harshbarger. “Then I realized that Team AddieGirl could make good things happen out of difficult circumstances,” she said. “Everybody knows someone with cancer.”
Shumaker added, “Our team wanted to support cancer patients in our own community who needed assistance.”
DeColores Montessori School in Greenville is another beneficiary of the Sunshine 5K. Greenville resident Tammy Adkins and her family support the DMS team with their registration.
“Not only do we enjoy this event as a fun family experience, but we help DeColores Montessori raise money to further students’ experiences and education,” said Adkins. “All the proceeds help fund field trips and provide students with unique learning experiences.”
Another group with strong support is the Final Bow Center for Children’s Performing Arts in Greenville.
“Being part of the Sunshine 5K allows Final Bow to expand our community of support and ensure that the arts remain accessible to everyone,” said Final Bow director Hillary Holzapfel.
“Proceeds from the 5K help us provide special programs like Artistic Variations and Kendall’s Music Crew,” said Holzapfel. “We offer free instruction and performance wear for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities, pairing them with Final Bow dancers to share the joy of movement and shine together on stage.”
Sign up for the Sunshine 5K and the group you would like to support at www.darkecountyfoundation.org. The fee is $25 for adults and $20 for age 14 and under (with shirt). Youth price with no shirt is $5.
Major sponsors of the Sunshine 5K are Reid Health, Wayne HealthCare, Family Health, and U.S. Bank.
