HALLOWEEN 5K Run Benefits Rebuilding Together

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT FEATURES COSTUMES, PRIZES, 1K CHILDREN’S RUN/WALK

FASTER GRANNY The infant Drew Conner rode on the back of  a poor old woman to win Halloween 5K with a time of 17:47 at Lake Bella Vista on Saturday. The 5k and Fun Run was a fund raiser for the non-profit Rebuilding Together which helps rebuild the homes of people in need.
FASTER GRANNY The infant Drew Conner rode on the back of a poor old woman to win Halloween 5K with a time of 17:47 at Lake Bella Vista on Saturday. The 5k and Fun Run was a fund raiser for the non-profit Rebuilding Together which helps rebuild the homes of people in need.

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Children seven and older hit the starting line for the Walk during the Rebuilding Together Halloween 5K Run/Walk on Saturday.

— The second annual Halloween 5K Fun Run/ Walk is slated for Saturday at the Lake Bella Vista Trail. Proceeds benefit Rebuilding Together of Northwest Arkansas, which helps lowincome homeowners with maintenance and house repair.

Runners and walkers are invited to come in costume, adding a Halloween emphasis to the event. Last year, six runners collaborated on a group costume. Each was a bottle of beer, and they ran joined as a six-pack.

A 1K for kids will start after older runners and walkers complete the 5K event.Last year, older participants lined the path, cheering the children on.

“It truly was a day of celebration,” said Jan Skopecek, executive director of the nonprofi t organization.

Members of the Walmart logistics and transportation team started the run/walk last year. Other corporate sponsors are the Bank of Arkansas and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Rush Running in Bentonville has joined the team this year. Staff members will manage the timed race. Awards will be given to the top three fi nishers in sevenage groups. There also will be prizes for all 1K fi nishers age 10 or younger.

Organizers hope to have 175 to 200 people attend and raise $15,000 to $20,000, Skopecek said.

The money will help fund home rehabilitation programs for the elderly, disabled and families with children. The goal of Rebuilding Together is to keep low-income homeowners safe, warm and dry. In addition to the organization’s signature event - the annual Rebuilding Day in April - there is a year-roundcritical repair program and an ongoing ramp-building program.

A special build is slated for Nov. 6. Choice Hotels International, a national sponsor of Rebuilding Together, is funding a project in Northwest Arkansas. Hotel employees from several states will volunteer their time to help Korean war veteran Bart Nelson.

They will build wheelchair ramps, paint the interior, put siding on the exterior and landscape his Gentry home.

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GO & DO

HALLOWEEN 5K FUN RUN/WALK

When: 8 a.m. Saturday

Where: Lake Bella Vista Trail

Features: Timed 5K run and fun walk, followed by 1K run/ walk for kids

Fee: $25 for 5K; 1K free

Benefits: Rebuilding Together of Northwest Arkansas

To register: www.rebuildingtogethernwa.org, 725-2488

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT

Our Town, Pages 17 on 10/24/2010

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