Alleluia! Lutheran 5K benefits missions

Alleluia! Lutheran Church's third annual Run with a Mission 5K on Saturday, Sept. 17, benefits Feed My Starving Children, Loaves and Fishes CARES, Compassion International, and other mission partners of the church.

The race steps off at 8:30 a.m. from the church, 103rd Street and Book Road, Naperville. Check-in and warm-up starts at 7:30 a.m.

Open to the public, the Run with a Mission 5K is for all ages and all abilities, and gives 100 percent of the registration fees directly to the missions.

"The 5K run raises money for these local and global partners, as well as increases awareness of the great work they do," said the Rev. Mark Juliot, Alleluia! missions pastor.

"Through our missions programs, our members are actively involved locally by volunteering at Loaves and Fishes and Feed My Starving Children. We are a leader in the annual Naperville Area CROP Walk, which raises money for local and global hunger relief efforts. We pack hundreds of shoe boxes every year, which are sent around the world through Operation Christmas Child to children living in poverty. We are also focused on an area of Peru where many of our members sponsor children through Compassion International.

"This past spring we partnered with Compassion to launch a new child development center and we continue to work with this site to encourage the leaders and children, build their program and improve their facilities," Juliot continued.

"The Run with a Mission 5K is something we can do in our own backyard while the impact reaches around the world. It's a great community builder and a fun way for families and friends to support these efforts while encouraging physical activity."

The 5K is a family-friendly event. The registration fee for individuals is $25 through Wednesday, Aug. 31, and $30 after; a special family rate for up to five people is $75 to Aug. 31 and $90 after. Registration includes a free T-shirt. Register online at runwithamission.com.

If you go

What: Run with a Mission 5K

When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Where: Alleluia! Lutheran Church, 103rd Street and Book Road, Naperville

Fee: $25 individual, $75 family (up to five people) to Aug. 31; $30 and $90 after

Register: runwithamission.com