Tribute Signs a New Feature of Run in the Sun
Pictured with her Tribute Sign in memory of her mother is Mahaska Health Foundation Chair and Run in the Sun Committee Member Sandy Bailey.
MAHASKA COUNTY – The 9th Annual Mahaska Health Foundation Run in the Sun is set for Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Lacey Recreation Complex Community Stadium. This fundraiser for the Hospice Serenity House features a 5K Run and a 1-Mile Walk were all ages, abilities and even strollers are welcome.
A new opportunity to celebrate, honor or memorialize a loved one is through customized Tribute Signs that are 11 x 17 inches and will be laminated and on display for viewing before and after the race. The signs will also be available to take home after the event.
Mahaska Health Foundation Chair and Run in the Sun Committee Member Sandy Bailey said that anyone is welcome to order a Tribute Sign, regardless of their participation in the run/walk. “Customized Tribute Signs can be made in honor or memory of a loved one or group you care about,” Bailey explained.
“You can have up to 15 words on the Tribute Sign, along with the name of the person or group you are honoring or memorializing. The cost is $20 per sign and all proceeds benefit the Serenity House.”
Andy Holmberg, a member of the foundation board and a Run in the Sun committee member, said that race organizers are finalizing sponsors in the next couple of weeks and encouraging teams to form for discounts. Holmberg said there is also the Church Challenge, where the Church with the most team members will receive their name on the Donor Wall at the Hospice Serenity House.
“This will be the third year for the Church Challenge,” Holmberg said. “The first year, Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa won and last year, First Christian Church in Oskaloosa had the most team members entered. The deadline for team registration, including the Church Challenge, is July 17. We encourage everyone to start forming their teams now if they haven’t already done so.”
The cost to participate in either race is $25 per person. Teams of 10 or more can register for $20 per person if registered by July 17. Individual registration is $25 and same day registration is $30 per person.
“Both events will start and end at the Lacey Community Stadium,” said Mahaska Health Foundation Director Cathy Stahl. “We will have chip timing for the 5K, and participants will received a true royal soft spun cotton T-shirt.”
Stahl said that last year’s Run in the Sun had more than 350 registered and raised more than $20,000 for the Hospice Serenity House. “This is the largest fundraising event sponsored by the Foundation. It’s also a great way for people to support our hospice mission.”
Online registration, including the purchase of Tribute Signs, is available online at mahaskahealth.org/run2019. Paper registrations are available for pick-up at Entrance #1 and Entrance #4 at the hospital, or you can call Stahl at 641.676.7146 or email cstahl@mahaskahealth.org for more information.
