COLDWATER – Storm warnings kept some of the 321 registered runners away from the 14th annual United Way Living Color Run Saturday morning.
The rain waited until the runners finished the 5K run around Heritage Park and nearby school grounds.
Runners are sprayed with colored corn starch as they make their way through the course. At the end of the race, they receive a unique race t-shirt as a souvenir.
United Way Executive Director Kevin Sheppard said the run will raise about $14,000 to kick off the annual fall fundraiser.
Sheppard said the United Way of Branch County hopes to raise $200,000 to fund 26 partner agencies that provide services to county residents.
Last year, United Way’s campaign raised just over $160,000.
Sheppard said: “We have only been able to deliver 84% of the requested amount, so our goal for this year is clearly to increase that number.”
United Way uses 98.5% of donations for community services such as the Presbyterian Free Health Clinic, Happy Feet, the Working Family Revolving Loan Fund, AYSO Soccer, Boy Scouts, GED Scholarships and Altrusa Teen Share among its 23 agencies.
Sheppard said United Way hopes to meet the goal this year so that all requests can be met. “These are difficult decisions for our board trying to figure out who gets 100% and who doesn’t.”
For the second year, United Way has partnered with the June one-and-a-half mile mud obstacle course, the ABC Challenge, to offer a two-race discount.
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Both charity runs are supported by volunteers.
Contact Don Reid: [email protected]
