Community Corner
Running for a Wish
Students and alumni raised $2,300 in a 5K run for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.
Scores of people broke out their running shoes and gym shorts and raised $2,300 in the 2nd annual “Run For Someone” 5K walk/fun-run for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut on Sunday afternoon at the University of Connecticut.
Fifty people pre-registered for the charity run with even more people showing up the day of the event to help make the wish of a child with a life-threatening illness, according to Melissa Marsh, the UConn graduate who started the event last year during her senior year.
Participants could choose between a 5K or a 3K course around campus and were allowed to run, walk or simply donate to the charity for the event.
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“We’re hoping to sponsor a wish, either this year or next year,” said Marsh.
The average wish in Connecticut costs around $8,500, according to Kelsey Sinclair, the UConn student heading up this year’s event and daughter of Kevin Sinclair, the Connecticut Chairman for the Make-A-Wish National Foundation.
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“It provides them hope, strength and joy to help them get through the process,” said Marsh, who is now a Wish Granter in the organization. Marsh has a number of friends who are wish children. She joined the organization herself as a volunteer in 2009.
“It’s good to see your kids follow in your footsteps,” said Kevin Sinclair, who is also the President and CEO of Wireless Zone, the main sponsor for the run.
Last year’s event had approximately 65 runners and also raised about $2,300 for the foundation, according to Marsh.
For a $10 donation, participants received not just exercise, but also a $25 gift card to the Wireless Zone at Verizon and a chance at a new Droid X.
The campus group also holds a scavenger hunt and an Apples to Apples tournament to raise money as well.
