Reliant Foundation To Host Annual 5K On October 5, 2024
This Year’s Event to Be Part of New Race Series Partnership with Abby’s House and Veteran’s Inc.
This year’s annual Reliant Foundation 5K will be held on Saturday, October 5, and will once again follow a scenic course around Indian Lake in Worcester. This certified, chip-timed road race starts and finishes at Shore Park and attracts hundreds of runners and walkers, raising funds for the Foundation’s Community Grants Program. These grants support nonprofit partners throughout the region who provide services around youth mental health, and substance use prevention and recovery for people of all ages.
Race awards are presented to top finishers by age category, and to the top-placing team. The event, which begins at 9:30am, is free for spectators and features family-friendly entertainment, including local radio talent and music from Cumulus, refreshments, raffles, kids’ activities, and visits from local team mascots. Registration remains open through October 3, with early registration discounts available through August 31. Runners and walkers alike can register on the Foundation’s website –
www.reliantfoundation.org/events/5K.
Presenting Sponsor for the 2024 race is Amazon. Other major sponsors to date include Bay State Savings Bank, Anna Maria College, Cornerstone Bank, George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, Dr. Joshua Greenberg, Open Sky Community Services, YMCA of Central MA, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Seven Hills Foundation. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Event partners include The Bancroft School and Greendale Family YMCA.
Reliant Foundation is also pleased to announce that this year’s 5K will kick-off a new race series “5K for Good” in partnership with Abby’s House and Veterans Inc. Through this collaboration, these three organizations want to bring awareness to the importance of community partnerships and how working together can make a positive change in the lives of those who need it most.
“I’m excited to have three great nonprofit organizations coming together to create a new fall 5K series aimed at improving the lives of so many in our local community,” shared Kelsa Zereski, President of Reliant Foundation. “The way each race falls exactly two weeks apart from each other will give runners and walkers a new challenge and a way to give back.”
The 15th Annual Abby’s House Hybrid 5K Run/Walk will take place on October 19 at West Boylston Middle/High School. Abby’s House provides shelter and affordable housing, advocacy and support services to homeless, battered, and low-income women and their children.
“This collaboration is bringing together our shared commitment to supporting the community and creates an opportunity to make a significant impact together” shared Julie Orozco, Executive Director of Abby’s House. “We’re excited to see what we can achieve as a united team!”
Veterans Inc. will close out the 5K for Good series with the Run4Veterans 5K Walk/Run on November 3 at Polar Park in Worcester. The race raises funds to help homeless Veterans with their health and wellness, substance use treatment, housing programs, employment services/job training, and other key support services.
“Veterans Inc. is honored to be the final race in the 5K for Good series” shared Vincent Perrone, CEO and President. “This collaboration with two esteemed organizations allows us to unite our efforts and amplify our visibility within the community. Together, we are setting the stage for a series of events that will leave a lasting positive impact.”
Reliant Foundation is an independent, 501(c)3 public charity that supports community nonprofit organizations across Central and MetroWest Massachusetts with mental health and behavioral health programs for children and youth, substance use prevention and recovery programs for individuals of all ages, and impactful education and initiatives to fight the stigma surrounding these issues.
About The Reliant Foundation
Established in 1988, Reliant Foundation is an independent public charity, not affiliated with any health care facility or medical group, whose mission is to improve 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 community health issues like substance use, and children’s mental health. Our charity partners work with thousands of individuals in our community to provide life-saving recovery coaching, mental health and behavioral health services, and impactful education and initiatives to reduce the stigma around these issues. For more information, please visit www.reliantfoundation.org.
