DARKE COUNTY – For 13 years, the Sunshine 5K has served as a fundraiser for local nonprofit organizations.
The Sept. 21 event in Greenville City Park will draw hundreds of participants, many of whom register as a team member of one of the charities. Knowing that their registration money 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, 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.
By registering at www.darkecountyfoundation.org, participants have the option of selecting one of the beneficiary groups.
Justin Marshall of Greenville has run the Sunshine 5K at least 10 times. This year his registration is going to LifeWise Academy Greenville, a Christian education organization.
“LifeWise is a good cause as Christian principles are brought to kids,” said Marshall. “I also like the Sunshine 5K because the course doesn’t just go out and back.”
The scenic view through Greenville City Park is one of many features that participants enjoy. Other crowd favorites are the swag bag loaded with goodies and the hundreds of 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 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. Everybody knows someone with cancer,” she said.
Shumaker added, “Our team wanted to support cancer patients in our own community who needed assistance.”
“The Sunshine 5K is not just a race for runners,” noted Shumaker. “There are just as many people walking. Runners have determination on their faces; walkers have smiles.”
Another group seeking team members is the Final Bow Center for Children’s Performing Arts, which enrolls about 300 students at its Greenville studio.
“Being part of the Sunshine 5K gives Final Bow the opportunity to increase our community of support,” said director Hillary Holzapfel. “The proceeds from the 5K help Final Bow to continue offering affordable programming and education in the performing arts, while also providing financial aid and scholarships to families in need.”
Sign up for the Sunshine 5K and the group you would like to support at www.darkecountyfoundation.org. The fee before Sept. 10 is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 14 and under. Participants receive a colorful t-shirt, loaded swag bag, homemade cookies, fruit, drinks, many quality door prizes, and age-group award medals. The price increased to $25 on Sept. 10 with limited shirts and bags. A no-shirt option for ages 14 and under is $5.
The main sponsors of the Sunshine 5K are Reid Health, Wayne HealthCare and Family Health.
