The holidays are here; time to reflect on all the good you’ve done. Oops. Has it been a slow year as far as good deeds go? Don’t worry -- you’ve still got the entire month of December to show Santa you’re more saintly than selfish. So why not do what you do best? Run.
We’ve created a sample schedule of races you could run to help raise money for good causes:
On Dec. 11, you’ve got a classic race on your schedule: The Jingle Jog in Atlanta. In its 23rd year, this 5K race collects more than 4,000 toys for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Each runner is encouraged to bring a new toy or two or three. Plus, 15 percent of your registration fee of $23 goes toward additional toys and clothes for the Angel Tree program.
Gas up the car the weekend of the 18th, because you’re driving to Savannah for the first annual Jingle Bell Run 8K. Your $25 race entry fee goes toward The Rape Crisis Center in Savannah, which provides services such as a 24-hour crisis line, counseling services and advocacy.
On the 25th, you’re going to earn that Christmas ham by running the Piedmont Park 5K. This race, which happens on the fourth Saturday of every month, is green—no disposable cups or goodie bags. Instead, MOVFitness, the company that runs the races, spends the money it raises on teaching children to dance through their website themov.org.
Finally, you’ll finish your Good Samaritan running with the Flashlight 5K on Dec. 31. The First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville gives all the proceeds from this event to the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry, an organization that provides food and bill-paying support to the local community. Since the race is held in the evening—but early enough to still ring in the New Year later—people line the streets with flashlights so the runners can see the race route. And when you cross the finish line, you can truly reflect back on all the good you’ve done. That’ll show Santa.
You know what they say, “'Tis better to run than to receive.” Let’s add up all the good you could do:
Peachtree Elementary Jingle Bell Trail
$25 for Peachtree Elementary
www.pces.org/jingle-bell-trail
Faith Cline Elf Trot
$25 for Brain Tumor Foundation for Children
www.elftrot.com
Jingle Jog
$40 (If you bring two new toys at $20 each)
$3.50 (percentage of your registration fee) for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
www.jinglejog.com
Jingle Bell Run 8K
$25 for The Rape Crisis Center of Savannah
www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/jingle-bell-8k
Piedmont Park 5K
$20 to MOVDance
www.movfitness.com/piedmontpark
Flashlight 5K
$20 for the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministries
http://www.fumclv.org and look under “community”
Total = $158.50 for charities and organizations
If you’re not up for running all of those races this season, there are other ways to give back. How about donating your old
Next time you buy new running shoes at Big Peach Running Company, leave your old pair and you’ll get 5 percent off. Your shoes will go to those less fortunate and homeless in Atlanta. www.bigpeachrunningco.com
For other places to donate your shoes, check out www.recycledrunners.com, a shoe recycling directory.
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