Arlington Heights businesses back mayor's 5K challenge
More than 25 Arlington Heights businesses are backing Mayor Tom Hayes' challenge to support Salute, Inc. at the veterans charity's annual Memorial Day weekend race.
Early last month, Hayes pledged to donate $5 to the Palatine-based group for every runner who beats his time in the 5K portion of the 5K/10K race, which steps off at 8 a.m. Sunday from Recreation Park.
Soon after, Picket Fence Realty owners Paul and Sue Duchek announced a challenge of their own, rallying local businesses to match the mayor's donation, up to a maximum of $500 per business.
"It seemed like an obvious cause to support," Sue Duchek said. "Both my and Paul's fathers served in the military, and we love the work Salute is doing to help those who served our country. We'd like to do our part to contribute."
With 26 businesses signed up already, that could mean some $13,000 for Salute, plus Hayes' donation, plus donations from other runners and the community at large.
Businesses that want to join can contact Picket Fence at (847) 454-7000 or sue@picketfencerealty.com.
The race Sunday morning is part of a big weekend in Arlington Heights, with the village's 99th annual parade stepping off from the village hall at 9:30 a.m. Monday, followed by a ceremony at Memorial Park at 11 a.m.
The parade Grand Marshal will be Al Mampre, a World War II Army veteran from Skokie. He served as a medic in the Easy Company units featured on the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers."