Graphic by James Landgraf
By Aidan McGuire, News Editor
The race is yet to begin, but a 5K to fund scholarships for refugee students has already raised more than $20,000.
On the final day of Arab American Heritage Month this Sunday, students, faculty, and community members will be headed to the parking lot outside buildings and D and C to partake in the first Humanity 5K, hosted by the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
MSA student adviser and event organizer Sundus Madi said that the fundraising is going well.
Race proceeds will be donated to the building of Ramallah, Palestine’s first at-home dialysis clinic, in addition to funding scholarships for refugee students.
“Our goal is to hopefully provide two or maybe three scholarships that will pay their full tuition next year,” Madi said.
Madi hopes to raise $30,000 by race day. She is feeling positive about this number thanks to the work of the various event sponsors, including title sponsor The Athlete’s Foot, which donated $10,000 to be featured heavily throughout the event.
The race will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Participants have the option to take part in a 1.5-mile walk around the Moraine campus prairie trail, a 100-yard kids’ sprint, or the official chip-timed 5K. The race will begin on campus and then make its way onto the surrounding roads, which the Palos Hills police will be shutting down for the duration of the event.
Our goal is to hopefully provide two or maybe three scholarships that will pay their full tuition next year.”
MSA student advisor and event organizer Sundus Madi
Registration will remain open until race day. Students can register for $20 with a student ID, and community members can register for $40 online or $50 on race day. The online discount ends Thursday.
Madi stresses that students can still get involved, either through running or volunteering: “It’s such a wonderful way to both give back and put yourself out there.”
A volunteer sign-up form can be found here. And racers can register online until Thursday here.
“We encourage students, even if this would be their first 5K, to get out there and do it,” Madi said.
