Colorful run to benefit worthy cause
Flying colors is the theme on Aug. 28 at Johns Park in Glenview.
The Gelfand Gallop Color Dash, to benefit The Debra Gelfand Children's Foundation, will be held at Richard E. Johns Park, 2101 Central Road, starting at 9 a.m.
"We were just looking for something fun and new to do," said Zach Gelfand, foundation vice president and son of the late Debra Gelfand.
Founded 31 years ago, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting students and families of need in Glenview School District 34.
Debra Gelfand's six children came up through District 34 schools. She died of cancer at 37 on July 4, 1990.
The foundation, a promise to Gelfand honored by her best friend, foundation President Barbara Silver, began by providing new shoes to students who needed them.
It's progressed to include support for school field trips, book purchases and more, and now also serves as a "crisis" fund to help families who have suffered from fires, medical emergencies, floods and other catastrophes.
Zach Gelfand said that after its fiscal year ended June 30, the foundation had distributed $104,000 over the prior 12 months, with less than $5,000 going to administrative costs.
"The need is huge," he said. "I'm glad that we're able to spend what we can. I'm not happy that we have to, but I'm glad that we can."
An inaugural event, the Gelfand Gallop Color Dash entails two untimed laps around Johns Park, with runners, joggers or walkers periodically getting spritzed by volunteers throwing colored "powder" at them from five stations spaced around the course.
Aug. 5 is the last day to guarantee a running shirt in one's size when registering for the run.
This is important.
"It's going to be white, because we're going to throw a whole bunch of paint on people," Gelfand said.
He clarified that it's not actually paint, but dyed, nontoxic cornstarch and baking soda. Just as colorfully messy as paint without the drawbacks or safety concerns. Goggles or sunglasses are recommended, along with a towel for post-powder cleanup.
A free, 50-yard "color dash" for children 5 and younger also will be held, but no shirts will be provided for that and parents are encouraged to dress their children in a white shirt.
In researching different types of "fun runs," Gelfand and his team liked the dyed powder method, as well as another run featuring bubbles.
"This was the better option for the park district rather than to have soap all over their grass," he said.
Registration for the Gelfand Gallop Color Dash, priced at $30 per person, is available online at debragelfand.org. All participants must preregister. Registration may also be made on the day of the event starting at 8 a.m.
All runners must be present by 8:45 a.m.; while strollers are not encouraged, anyone with a stroller will go off with the last wave of runners.
T-shirt and packet pickup will take place from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, near the Johns Park field house.
A soft rain won't cancel the Color Dash, but in case of severe weather a makeup date is targeted for Sept. 11.
"We know there's not a run or anything like it in Glenview, at least. We thought it'd be something fun to get the kids out," Zach Gelfand said.