Runners can shine for foster children Christmas gift fund
By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Runners and walkers will be able to brighten the holidays for foster children in the state of Maine by taking part in the inaugural Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run/Walk at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec, 13. The approximate 2.5-mile route along West Main Street will start and end at the former Brothers Chevrolet parking lot.
“Some of us girls started a fitness group, doing some 5K runs,” said Kate Hackett Leland, of Shear Design which is sponsoring the Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run along with JD Raymond Transport. Leland mentioned the group did not see any evening runs in the region, so the runners decided they should be the ones to start such an event.
“We figured because it was so close to Christmas we could do something for the kids,” Leland said. The organizers decided to have proceeds go toward a fund set up to benefit foster children in the state, kids who are not with their parents during the holidays.
“It’s a walk or a run whatever you want to do, it’s not going to be timed,” Leland said. She said the Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run route will head down West Main Street, passing by Foxcroft Academy where Santa Claus will wave to passersby from his reindeer sleigh on the school front lawn. In-town participants will take a left onto North Street and then Winter Street to return to West Main Street and head back to the finish.
Leland said the route will be along the illuminated sidewalk, and the four kilometers will be well sanded. “It should be fun and hopefully it’s warm,” she said, adding that stormy weather could postpone the Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run.
“Hopefully it will be the first of an annual event,” Leland said. “We want people to have fun, people can wear costumes if they want.”
She said the entry fee is $15 per person and is capped at $45 family. Glow sticks, bracelets and necklaces will be provided for participants, and those covering the four kilometers are encouraged to wear bright colors. The first approximate 30 to register will receive a neon race T-shirt. More information can be found on Facebook under “1st Annual Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run/Walk” or by calling 564-7968 or 564-2186.
The evening after the Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run, another fund-raising event for the foster children Christmas gift fund starts at 6 p.m. at Pat’s Pizza on East Main Street. on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Holiday Hope Gala will feature dancing in the main dining room and a bar and refreshments in the banquet room, with admission to the gala by donation.
Liza Pembroke Smith is a contestant in the 2014 Mrs. Maine pageant — where she will enter as Mrs. Sebec — which she said celebrates women who are involved in their communities, are eager to celebrate marriage and family and who want to make a difference. Mrs. Maine contestants fundraise, and Smith said these experiences have helped connect her more deeply to the community.
Smith wanted to combine a Mrs. Maine pageant fundraiser that would also benefit a charity around the holidays. She soon thought of the annual Angel Ball, which was organized by Jody Arno, and decided to carry the torch with an event to raise money for Maine foster children’s gifts.
“I wanted to tie a charity to what I was doing and then (Leland and fellow Holiday Hope 4K Glow Run organizer Katie Day) contacted me about tying the two together,” Smith said. She said the run will provide a fun family night out on Dec. 13 and then the gala will be a fun adult night out on Dec. 14, with both promoting the spirit of giving to the cause.
Smith thanked Bob and Allyson Ade of Pat’s Pizza, Will Wedge of Will’s Shop ‘n Save and Bobby Hartford’s DJ Services for donating their space, time, goods and services for the Holiday Hope Gala. She also thanked Arno for bringing the cause to the community, her past commitment and for the guidance she has provided to Smith. Smith said Gail D’Agostino has been wonderful to work with in helping coordinate the funds raised with the foster children in need.