Run for a reason in Elgin
Earlier this year, Elgin resident Bruce Johnson made headlines when he embarked on a three-month mission to run 3,000 miles from Florida to California to raise money for the Elgin Community Crisis Center, which is one of numerous agencies in dire need because the state cannot pay its own bills.
Johnson made it to Texas before injuries forced him to stop.
But you can harness your inner Bruce if you participate in this year's 33rd annual Fox Trot.
New to the May 31 charity run is the ability to ask for and donate pledges to various local charities, such as the crisis center, YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, United Way and the Elgin Youth Scholarship Fund.
"We're introducing a way for our not-for-profit partners to engage the community," said Barb Keselica, Elgin's special events coordinator, in a prepared statement. "It will help that not only raise funds for them, but will also help raise awareness to the needs in the community."
Registration and donations can be made through the Foxtrot online registration website, www.cityofelgin.org/foxtrot and participants may establish teams to track their pledges.
Personally, I think it's a nice touch for organizers to open the race up to charitable donations.
I also think it is shameful that our state lawmakers created and enabled this budget mess that has crippled schools and pushed to the brink area agencies that help battered women and children.
The fee for the 10-mile or 5K race is $30 in advance and online registration is available until May 28 as the above mentioned website.
Applicants unable to register online can call (847) 531-7056 for an application that will be mailed or faxed.
Completed applications may be mailed or dropped off at the Parks and Recreation offices at The Centre, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, with a check or credit card until May 21. Race-day registration is from 6:15 to 7:30 a.m. and is $40.
Since I quit smoking in October 2008, I've dabbled in running a mile or two here and there, but have never had the courage to enter a formal race. So I totally respect anyone who runs.
Kudos all around: Congrats to South Elgin Lion Allan Shelton who recently was presented with George Lazansky Distinguished Service Award at the Lions District 1-J Convention in Lisle.
The award has been presented since 2002 to Lions, Lionesses and Leos in District 1-J.
Shelton, a Lion for 14 years, is the fourth member of the South Elgin Lions Club to be honored with this award.
He also has been named South Elgin Lion of the Year, received the Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow and received two Melvin Jones Fellows, which is the highest honor presented by the Lions Clubs International Foundation.