17th Annual Long Grove Heritage 5K Run and 3K Walk September 6th
Ten local charities will be setting up tables and distributing identification bibs early this Saturday morning in preparation for the 17th Annual Long Grove Heritage Run/Walk. The event includes both a 5K run and a 3K walk.
The weather forecast looks promising. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 70's for the estimated 1,000 preregistered runners and walkers. Walk ins are encouraged the morning of the event. This typically adds another 200 people to the mix. Many more will be in attendance to cheer, to help, and to enjoy a sausage and pancake breakfast.
This year the charities working with Rotary on the event include the Christopher Steele Foundation, which supports institutions and individuals who are researching cures for brain tumors (with a particular emphasis on sarcomas), as well as The Center On Deafness, which provides services to their implied constituency, while Exodus World Service supports volunteer support services to refugee families arriving in the metropolitan area.
Faith Acres Foundation is a food and clothing sharing pantry operation serving primarily McHenry and Lake County people in need, while the Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes works to provide properly preserved human milk, primarily to premature and ill infants.
Other participating charities in the family oriented event are motivated by their desire to further a cause which arose from personal experiences. The Anthony James Brust Memorial Foundation provides a scholarship for technical training in honor of its namesake, who died in a motorcycle accident.
True North Treks helps young adults with cancer get connected after treatment - connected to nature, connected to other cancer survivors, connected to important resources, and connected to oneself through mindfulness meditation. The Center for Enriched Living provides equal opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities to fulfill their dreams through innovative, person-centered programming.
PADS of Lake County, Inc. and Rotary Club District 6440 are also participating in the event this year. PADS is dedicated to providing emergency shelter and supportive services to families with children and individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Lake County. Rotary Club District 6440 is raising money to support community and international projects in our communities and all over the world and to End Polio Now.
Aaron Underwood, Long Grove, who is coordinating this year's event observed, "Last year was our biggest event ever, with over 1,000 participants raising more than $50,000 for local charities. We're expecting a similar turnout and result this year."
The Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods is a group of professionals who live or work in surrounding area.
Rotary International is the oldest civic service club, founded in Chicago in 1905 and with over 1.2 million members worldwide. The local club has sponsored and supported a number of local and international projects since its establishment almost 20 years ago.
Notable international projects in the past year have included contribution of Shelter Box tents to disaster areas around the world, and support of water and education projects in Africa. The Club is also supporting the Rotary International goal of eliminating polio.
Local projects include the contribution of 100 coats and knit caps to needy children in the area, Adopt a Highway (along Route 53 in Long Grove), sponsorship of a local cub scout pack, aid to needy veterans, and donations to the St. Mary's Food Pantry in Buffalo Grove.
Members of the Rotary Club are currently selling raffle tickets as part of their overall fundraising efforts. Tickets will also be available the day of the race.
This year's sponsors include: QATAR Airlines, Toyodo Machinery USA, Walmart, ACCO, McGinty Brothers, Inc., Sunset Foods, David Schneider, Riehn Insurance, Elly's Pancake House, Stewarts Coffee, Fiesta Foods, Long Grove Fire Department, Kildeer Countryside School, Waste Management, Einstein Bagel, Weichert Realtors-McKee Real Estate, Thrivent Financial, Associates for General Dentistry, SWALCO, Long Grove Living, South Lake County Regional CERT, and Underwood Innovations.
More information about this year's Heritage Event, including photos, and more about the Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer, and Hawthorn Woods may be found at RotaryRace.org and at RCLG.org. Photos of recent races are also posted at the Club's Facebook page.
Submitted by: Jim Dopler, Secretary, Rotary Club of Long Grove, Kildeer and Hawthorn Woods