The Superhero 5K Run event hosted by ‘For Kids Sake International’, took place on Saturday, Sep. 20th at Turley Park and has been ongoing for 13 years now. The event is a superhero-themed run through Carbondale aimed at raising funds for underprivileged children across the globe.
For Kids Sake is a fundraising organization that focuses on helping underprivileged children and families with basic needs and education in Bangladesh, The Gambia and The United States. They do so by providing a safe and loving environment that includes food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and education.
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Fresh out of college, Executive Director Shema Ruperto was asked to organize a fundraising event, which became the Superhero 5k. Ruperto said that she loved the excitement and skills that went into organizing a nonprofit event to help people. That same year she went to Bangladesh, where For Kids Sake International first started, and was able to see first-hand the impact the fundraising event had.
“Superheroes are known for going above their personal desires and needs in their comfort zones to help other people,” Ruperto said. People can dress up in superhero outfits or as their favorite superhero. There are vendors, food trucks, massage therapists, as well as awards such as best dressed and who raised the most money.
“I think it’s a really good cause, what they’re doing here, donating to kids in local communities and communities overseas,” Johnessa Griffin, a participant in the 5K said.
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For Kids Sake International will have another fundraiser in the fall, which they call “Close the Gap,” to fill the gap they need to hit their goal of raising $250,000 at the end of the year.
For more information, visit forkidssakeintl.org.
Staff photographer Emily Brinkman can be reached at [email protected]
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