Proceeds will support mental health and behavioral health for youth, and substance use prevention and recovery for all ages
A little light rain didn’t dampen the spirits of 180 runners and the dozens of volunteers and spectators on hand in support of the annual Reliant Foundation 5K road race on Saturday, October 1. The event raised more than $27,000 to support the Foundation’s Community Grants Program.
Reliant Foundation funds community nonprofits in Central and MetroWest MA through grants in support of mental health and behavioral health programs for children and youth, substance use prevention and recovery programs for individuals of all ages, and initiatives to reduce the stigma around these issues.
Beginning and ending at Shore Park in Worcester, this certified, chip-timed road race provided a scenic backdrop for runners and walkers around Indian Lake. Top Overall Male and Female Finishers were Sam Belcher of Belmont with a time of 17:21.1, and Rachel Frenkil, also of Belmont, at 20:35.1. Awards were given in age categories ranging from 12 and Under, to 70 and Over. The Top Team Overall “Running the Asylum,” comprised of Ryan Basting and Anthony Genna, both of Mendon; Dave Camera of Suffield, CT; and Michelle Kaminski and Melissa Harpin, both of Agawam, were presented with the Community Trophy for the fastest team score of 1:01:22.7.
“We are thrilled to see the 5K gaining momentum and growing in number of runners and walkers again after taking a hiatus,” said Kelsa Zereski, Reliant Foundation President. “Special thanks to the YMCA Greendale Branch and The Bancroft School for once again partnering with us. An event like this would not be possible without our dedicated team of Foundation staff and the unwavering support of our Board, not to mention the dozens of volunteers who really made the event shine, even on a rainy day!
Together we are making a difference and changing lives.”
Generous sponsorship support was provided by Amazon, Aponi Aesthetics, Marianne E. Felice, MD, Marathon Sports, Anna Maria College, Bay State Savings Bank, Cornerstone Bank, Fidelity Bank, George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, Ivan Green, MD, Imperial Distributors, Seven Hills Foundation, the Shine Initiative, and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network.
For more information about how to support the Reliant Foundation or how to apply for a grant, visit reliantfoundation.org.
About The Reliant Foundation
Established in 1988 as a public charity, the Reliant Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals of all ages in the Central and MetroWest regions of Massachusetts. As a 501(c)3 charity, the Foundation offers grants to non-profit organizations within its service area for the purpose of supporting programs that battle critical public health issues like the opioid epidemic, and children’s mental health, as well as, to support COVID-19 recovery efforts for area non-profit grantees and the thousands of individuals they serve. Our charity partners provide life-saving recovery coaching, tele-mental health and behavioral health, grief counseling, and food. For more information, please visit www.reliantfoundation.org.
