By Anna McFall
One of Trussville’s longest-running fundraisers is being held in a few weeks. The Maple Leaf Run will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 at The Mall in historic downtown Trussville.
With more than 300 participants, the Maple Leaf Run is held annually, and serves as a fundraiser for the Trussville Chamber and as a platform for breast cancer awareness.
A portion of the proceeds from the race will go toward the chamber’s scholarship fund and will also benefit “Turn Trussville Pink,” a community project to fund breast cancer awareness.
“Turn Trussville Pink” is a community-wide breast cancer awareness campaign that started small and since raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research.
According to Turn Trussville Pink’s website, what is known today as “Turn Trussville Pink” began a bit in 2006, when Hewitt-Trussville High School sophomore Joshua White worked with DECA, a business and marketing student organization, to implement a project called “Turn Hewitt Pink.”
“The project honored two high school teachers in the midst of a battle against breast cancer
. DECA sold pink t-shirts and decorations as a school-wide fundraiser for breast cancer research. All proceeds from this sale benefitted a fund that had been set up 5 years prior by Hewitt Elementary (now Paine Primary) teacher Kristy Stacks in 2001.”
In 2010, inspired by the overwhelming success and reception of “Turn Trussville Pink,” Joshua sought to create a non-profit organization to facilitate “Turn Trussville Pink,” as well as, raise money for cancer research.
The 5th Annual “Turn Trussville Pink” event will take place Wednesday, Oct . 17. Representatives from “Turn Trussville Pink” are creating ribbons for runners to wear during the Maple Leaf 5K race.
Registration for the Maple Leaf 5 K is going on now. The registration fee is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the race. Registration for the kids’ run is $10. The first 400 runners who register will get a free t-shirt. Participants can register online at www.active.com.
For participants in the Maple Leaf Run, prizes will be awarded in each age group, as well as overall in the 5K event. The top three boys and girls will receive prizes in each of two age groups in the kids’ run.
Providing entertainment for runners and their families will be the band Puttin’ On the Ritz. There will also be an inflatable jump house for the kids! Light snacks will be provided by Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q, and Birmingham’s Coca-Cola will provide water and PowerAde for the runners. The Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Maple Leaf Run is presented by The Trak Shak.
For more information on the chamber, please visit www.trussvillechamber.com or call the Chamber at 655-7535.
Photo courtesy of the Trussville Chamber