Published October 4, 2007
Run begets good
work for Wellness, Rotary
By
Polly Rix
prix@thehinsdalean.com
The
Rotary Run for Wellness House epitomizes what teamwork
is about.
From the
teams who band together with names like Wellness
Warriors and Walk a Mile in my Shoes to the organizers
who spend months planning, the annual fall race is all
about people working together.
“I do
partnerships for a living. That’s what development is
all about,” said Tim Walker, Wellness House director of
development and marketing. “I have never seen a
partnership of two different nonprofit organizations
that have separate missions work so well.”
Since the
Wellness House and the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Rotary
combined their fall races four years ago, thousands of
kids, families and community members have connected with
the mission of each group.
“It’s
just blossomed,” Walker said.
Rotarian
Greg Donnelly has watched the run grow in the number of
participants, funds raised and awareness.
“The
Rotary Club had taken (its) event from 400 people to
about 800-900 people. We were raising $25,000 — a little
less or a little more. Then the Wellness House had a
fall walk,” recalled Donnelly, who has been the Rotary
race director for the past seven years. “I said, ‘Let’s
look at how we can combine our events.’
“Now
we’ve got this fun event and it’s turned into something
big. This year we’re probably at 1,200 runners and 1,000
walkers,” Donnelly said.
The race
is expected to raise about $250,000, and the proceeds
are divided in an equitable manner, organizers said.
Wellness
House counts on the community’s generosity, because the
organization raises all of its money privately.
“We don’t
charge for any service and we receive no government
money. We only have private funds,” Walker said.
Proceeds
underwrite programs such as the organization’s two
fastest growing groups, Family Matters (for children
whose parents or guardians are dealing with cancer or
have died from cancer) and exercise and nutrition.
Donnelly
likes that Rotarians are involved in a cause close to
home.
“Here is
a center and a concern right here in our own backyard,”
added Donnelly, who pointed out that the group donates
its proceeds locally, nationally and internationally.
The race
also has been a good way to get each organization’s name
out in the community.
“This
morning I was in a meeting — there were 60 people there
— I asked them to raise their hand if they had heard of
the run. Not one person had not heard of it,” Walker
said Wednesday. “It has infiltrated the community.”
The day
is big for everyone involved, whether as a helper, a
participant or a visitor. It’s especially a good time
for children, with plenty of kid-friendly activities
after the race.
“Seeing
the hundreds of family, friends and community members
out there walking, running, and having a great day —
it’s the best feeling,” Walker said.
Run run
as fast as you can
Join
hundreds of other runners and walkers as they make their
way through the village’s streets to raise money for
Wellness House and the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Rotary
Club. The event will held Sunday, Oct. 14 — rain or
shine.
Starting
line
Wellness
House
131 N.
County Line Road, Hinsdale
Start
times
The run
3K — 8:31 a.m.
5K — 8:30 a.m.
10K —
8:30 a.m.
The Walk*
5K — 8:35
a.m.
10-step —
8:29 a.m.
* The
walk is for everyone, including families with strollers,
young children and seniors. The 10-step walk is a
symbolic gesture for those who can’t walk 5 kilometers.
Sign up
Online
registration is $25, but ends Friday, Oct. 12.
Mail in
and walk-up registration is $30. Mail to Rotary Run for
Wellness, 131 N. County Line Road, Hinsdale IL 60521.
Envelopes be postmarked by Friday, Oct. 5.
Walk-up
registration is $30. Register from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 13, and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday,
Oct. 14, at The Wellness House, 131 N. County Line Road.
Fundraising
Pledges
are encouraged. Create a pledge Web site for family and
friends.
Need information? Go to
www.wellnesshouse.org or
www.hinsdalerotary.org.
