Inspired volunteer runs Human Race to help Humanitarian Service Project

Traditionally, when I hear the words "run" and "5K," I have a tendency to turn a deaf ear. As anyone who knows me can tell you, I am definitely not a runner. And I'm not too eager about the thought of getting up at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday to leave my home.

However, the DuPage Human Race was a different story. I first heard about it last year during my time as an intern at the Humanitarian Service Project. I was intrigued to see that this race was designed to help bring awareness to charities and nonprofits, big and small alike.

Despite my aversion to running, I signed up for the race. I wanted a chance to help spread awareness about HSP, an organization I feel very strongly about. I interned with them during the Christmas and winter season in 2015, and my time there definitely changed my life.

Though I consider myself fortunate enough to have never lived in poverty, so many families and seniors in just DuPage County alone are struggling to make ends meet. HSP is there to provide help, support and hope to these people that things will get better.

One of my tasks during the Christmas season was to call low-income families on HSP's "waiting list" to tell them we would have Christmas presents available for their children. The pure happiness and gratitude in their voices as they thanked me profusely for helping them out were the true rewards.

So when the DuPage Human Race was brought to my attention last year, I didn't hesitate to sign up. I figured it would be the motivation I needed to get back to the gym and get back in shape. Well, that part didn't really work.

However, the race did give me the opportunity to help spread the word about HSP and all the good work they do for the community - that's a much easier goal to achieve than getting myself to the gym on a regular basis.

If I had to describe my experience with the Human Race last year, I would probably sum it up in just three words: cold and wet. Unfortunately, the weather didn't really cooperate.

But in a way, I think that just motivated me to finish faster. And despite this being only my second 5K, I managed to finish in less than 39 minutes. If I can do that, anyone can.

If you don't like running, join the hundreds of participants in the 2-mile walk. Do anything you can to bring recognition to a local charity or organization that means as much to you as HSP means to me.

Donations to HSP can be made online at donatenow.networkforgood.org/hsp.