In the Minnesota March FoodShare giving spirit, I ask that you consider not only a food donation this month (click here to read more about our March food drive) but a different kind of donation that will help our youth grow up stronger, happier and healthier. I ask that you consider participating in Valley Natural Foods’ 6th annual Run for Hope 5K on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. at the co-op. Proceeds from the race benefit The Foundation of Early Childhood Family Services (ECFS) of School District 196 (Rosemount – Apple Valley – Eagan). Click here for registration details.
You may say that you are not a runner and that this isn’t your type of event. You may also explain to me that 3.1 miles, whether you walk or run it, is just not something you enjoy doing.
While these are valid, understandable responses, I do believe these seven reasons to register for the Run for Hope 5K will change your mind:
1. FREE SWAG! If you register, you will receive a goodie bag jam-packed of healthy snacks from the co-op that will more than pay for your registration fee. Also, you will get a snazzy race t-shirt with our newly designed logo and colors! We encourage participants to register by March 31 to guarantee a race t-shirt in their size.
2. IT’S A PARTY! Okay, if the FREE swag isn’t enough to entice you, did I mention yet that the 5K isn’t an ordinary race but a party at the co-op for the entire family? Yes, it is because we will have a DJ pumping tunes so you can groove to the music, a bouncy house for the kids and other children’s activities, vendors sampling healthy food and a dance instructor leading some exercise moves that will get your blood and adrenaline flowing! It’s all about having fun and just enjoying the morning!
3. TEAM FUN IN COSTUME & SAVE! From the swag to the party atmosphere, there is one thing we have to mention that may possibly get you over the indecision hump. You need to create a personal running team of 5 or more because not only will you save $2 per registration, but we are having a team costume contest! So let your creativity drive you to come up with the wackiest, craziest, most awesome set of team outfits ever! There will also be a contest for the fastest average team time too!
4. WALK, RUN, STROLL OR SIMPLY ENJOY THE PARTY. If you register, don’t feel you have to walk, run or even stroll the 5K’s 3.1 miles if it is not your thing. Simply register to get all the FREE swag and enjoy the party and all the conversation! Also, know that your registration fee will be donated directly to ECFS, benefitting the education of youngsters in our community. However, if the 5K race is what gets you going and you are competitive, rest assured that this is a chip-timed race and all results will be available online instantly after the 5K through Anderson Race Management of Eagan, MN.
5. DID WE MENTION THERE ARE MORE WAYS TO SAVE? If you register online, you can save $3 off any registration fee simply by entering VALLEY3 at the checkout and if you register offline, by clicking here to download a form, do know that you automatically save at least $3 because there are no processing fees. However, unfortunately team registration is not available through our offline forms.
6. REGISTER EARLY & YOU WILL SAVE MORE STILL! If you are still reading this, we know that you are interested in being a Run for Hope 5K participant and you just want to know how much registration costs. Online registration for adults (ages 13+) is $30 through March 31 so do register early. Youth registration (12 and under) is a stagnant fee of $15 through May 14.
7. YOUR REGISTRATION FEE BENEFITS AN AWESOME ORGANIZATION. PERIOD. All race registration proceeds are directly donated to ECFS. Valley Natural Foods has worked with ECFS for the last couple of years on this 5K, raising over $30,000 for them, and we cannot say enough good things about this community partner. The funds benefit the additional educational facility needs of the Dakota Valley Learning Center in Apple Valley which houses ISD 196’s early childhood education classes, plus ECFS also uses the funds to implement nutrition programming that teaches kids about the importance of eating healthy. The parents I work with who volunteer their time on the ECFS race committee are also an amazing bunch of enthusiastic, energetic and charismatic people that simply care a whole lot about their children’s education and future. They also feel very strongly about the positive impact ECFS has on their children’s growth and learning. I feel a real sense of community and a lively spirit amongst these parent volunteers, which only makes me want the Run for Hope 5K to be all that more successful.
Hopefully I’ve inspired you to want to become a 2016 Run for Hope 5K participant. Know that whether you walk, run or stroll the 5K or simply sit back and enjoy the party, that your donation does give HOPE. It gives hope that as co-op shoppers, that if we band together supporting our community, we can see change happen. The small ripples of change we make now will positively impact those ECFS youngsters for years to come. So let’s come together to give hope for a bright future on May 14!
About Erin Erickson
Erin Erickson is the Community Engagement Specialist at Valley Natural Foods. She manages the co-op’s public relations program, owner engagement strategy and she organizes various co-op events and classes. These events and programs include the Run for Hope 5K, Farm Fest and the store's annual meeting. She also assists with video planning, writing and graphic design.
About Erin Erickson
Erin Erickson is the Community Engagement Specialist at Valley Natural Foods. She manages the co-op’s public relations program, owner engagement strategy and she organizes various co-op events and classes. These events and programs include the Run for Hope 5K, Farm Fest and the store's annual meeting. She also assists with video planning, writing and graphic design.
