Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce recently issued the following announcement.

The 10th Annual For Kids’ Sake Superhero 5K: Virtual Edition ended last Sunday, Oct. 4 with a bang. 300 registrants from 18 different states and five different countries all signed up to participate in this year’s event. These registrants, plus 50 business sponsors and 66 dedicated fundraisers helped raise $50,000! Event organizers were overwhelmed with gratitude for this year’s success. “For Kids’ Sake supporters’ enthusiasm and generosity were off the charts this year, and there are some truly special superheroes among them,” shared Shema Ruperto, For Kids’ Sake Director.

Over half of the event’s income comes from individual fundraisers asking their friends and family to contribute. One fundraiser that stood out this year was Kendra Flood. Kendra is a Southern Illinois University alumna that started supporting For Kids’ Sake as a student volunteer. Today, she is a graduate student at Pennsylvania State University, and this year’s virtual Superhero 5K allowed her to participate from out of state. At the start of Kendra’s fundraising efforts, she commented, “COVID has changed a lot these past few months, but it hasn’t changed the importance of fighting hunger. It also hasn’t taken away my love for For Kids’ Sake, an organization started in Carbondale, IL.” Kendra went on to raise over $500 in a matter of days with her creative fundraising.

“Shifting this event to a virtual race was risky,” Ruperto commented, “however, the results exceeded everyone’s expectations. It allowed people from all over to be involved for the first time. Our For Kids’ Sake branches in Germany, Switzerland and Bangladesh were able to participate at the same time, creating this buzz around the world. It was electrifying.”

All proceeds from the Superhero 5K benefit kids in Bangladesh. For Kids’ Sake Orphanages instituted a strict, no-in no-out policy at the start of the pandemic. Thanks to this policy and extra precautions, there have been no cases of COVID19 to date. However, healthcare and hygiene have become a top priority. Funds from the Superhero 5K are going, in part, toward distributing more hygiene kits (including soap, laundry detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste), and new clothing for the kids, ensuring they can remain healthy and hygienic.

The success of Superhero 5K: Virtual Edition was made possible by inspired supporters joining in from right here in Southern Illinois to across the globe. Hear the stories of some of these superheroes and more event details in the Virtual Award Ceremony posted to the For Kids’ Sake Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/forkidssakeusa

For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.forkidssake.net.

Link to Virtual Award Ceremony: https://www.facebook.com/forkidssakeusa/videos/401966274538079

This year’s event has support from 50 sponsors including:

Longbranch Café & Bakery, NeuroRestorative Carbondale, Striegel Animal Hospital, Dayempur Herbals, Henry Printing, Withers Broadcasting, Positive Cynicism Podcast Network, Midwestern Propane Gas, First Mid Illinois Bank and Trust, Pediatric Group LLC, Southern Illinois GI Specialists, First Southern Bank, Town Square Market, SIU Credit Union, Kappa Alpha Order, The Villas of Hollybrook, G L Morris Refrigeration, Phoenix Cycles, New Horizons OBGYN, Banterra Bank, Natural Health & Wellness, Meredith Funeral Home, Baine Roofing Co, Rafi’s Custom Remodeling, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Coleman Lawn Equipment, FWS Countertops, Clearwave Communications, Sawar’s Neurological Institute, Jacobs Air Conditioning and Heating, Legence Bank, Evolve at SIU, Prairie Living at Chautauqua, Midwest Medical Thermography, Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke LLP, Joseph Hudgins Orthodontics, Spirit Halloween, Holistic Alchemy Co, First Mid Insurance Group, Brehm Preparatory School, American Resource Group, LTD, Susan Kamil, Licensed Acupuncturist & Clinical Herbalist, Embroidery Station, and WDBX!

Original source can be found here.