Who Cares? 1700 Run of the Mill Participants do!
September 21, 2010 by Steve Knox
Columbia Funding Mortgage’s theme for the 26th Annual Run of the Mill 5K was “Investing In Our Clients and Our Community”. “Planning this event is a labor of love,” said Race Director and CFM owner Steve Knox. “The countless hours our team spends planning the ROTM is our way of giving back to the community”. This year, race proceeds were donated to a variety of local charities including Providence-Everett Hospital’s Linda Baltzell Cancer Patients Assistance Fund, six area high school Track and Cross Country programs, St. Vincent de Paul, Mill Creek Swim Club, Jackson High School Swim Club, as well as toward scholarships to local graduating high school students.
A total of $23,000 will be donated to these causes this year, and $170,000 has been donated since CFM took over the event 6 years ago. In reflecting upon the previous five years’ races, Steve added, “Sometimes we wonder if people just come to run the race or if they are as passionate about the charity aspect of the race as we are.” So this year the CFM staff made it a point to find out by asking participants what they care about. “We were surprised about the passion people had and the countless reasons for running, walking or donating, Steve said. “As we asked people to pose for photos with ‘I Care’, ‘We Care’, ‘They Care’ signs, we heard inspirational stories of cancer survivors and cancer fighters, groups running in memory of their friends and family members, volunteers who arrived at the crack of dawn, or others who just show up each year because they know 100% of race proceed are donated to local charities.”
Steve said that while Columbia Funding Mortgage might be the face of the Run of the Mill, it is important to note that more than a hundred volunteers, recruited by volunteer coordinator Liz Fredrickson make it happen on race day. The numerous high school track and cross country coaches who set up the race course, free of charge, are a key reason that The ROTM need not pay a race management company, which is why so much direct donation back to local charities is possible.
Sponsors for this year’s event included: Run 26, Outer Edge Cross Fit, Mill Creek Family Practice, Waste Management, AAA of Mill Creek, ING Financial Partners (Ian Civey and Mark Serafini), Laughing Buddha Yoga Studio, People’s Bank, Vertafore, Sayenko Design, La Palmera, Rock-n-RollRealtor.com (Louis Torres), Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic, Columbia Athletic Club, Mill Creek Running and Multi-Sport Club, and Central Market.
Race Results can be found at www.mcrunofthemill.com and “We Care” race photos can be found at www.cfundingmortgage.com . To volunteer or sponsor next year’s Run of the Mill contact Steve Knox at stevek@cfundingmortgage.com
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