Springfield Rescue Mission’s “Run to End Homelessness” is back for another year.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SPRINGFIELD — A major fundraiser that supports vital rehabilitation programs and community food outreach initiatives at the Springfield Rescue Mission is returning in early March.
SRM’s is hosting its Run to End Homelessness on March 8 at 10 a.m. in Forest Park, according to Kevin Ramsdell, the CEO and executive director of the longtime organization. Runners and walkers can register for either the 5K race or a 10K race, and Ramsdell said the race will begin and end at the monkey house in Forest Park.
“As the need for our services continues to grow, it is critical to build up our resources, and this is one of our biggest fundraisers,” said Ramsdell. “It’s always special to see the community come together in the spirit of helping our neighbors in need.”
SRM, which sits at 10 Mill St. in Springfield, provides life-changing free-of-charge services that tackle homelessness, food insecurity and struggles with substance abuse, including a full rehabilitation program and a transitional living program.
According to Sabra Ramsdell, Kevin’s wife and SRM’s chief of staff, the rehabilitation program includes a learning center with on-site curriculum and training opportunities for program residents to earn their HiSET diploma, which is essentially the equivalent of a GED.
SRM also distributes around 3 million pounds of food per year and is home to a Caring Health Center, where people can get the necessary medical attention from CHC’s providers.
“We do more than just clothe and feed people,” Kevin Ramsdell said.
Although the organization has been around for over 130 years, the Ramsdells still want more people to understand the breadth of what they offer to the greater Springfield community, and they believe the Run to End Homelessness event is the perfect forum for that.
The race, which is in its 12th year, is also an opportunity for the organization to bring the running community together and to raise awareness about the harsh impact winter has on the homeless population.
“Most people that come out to this are from the running community,” Kevin Ramsdell said. “They tend to understand that what homeless people are looking for is to be involved in community. And a lot of times that’s what happens when our residents come in here and check into the program is they start to feel like they’re part of a community, part of a family.”
In addition to the race, SRM is also hosting a complimentary “Carb Up” spaghetti dinner at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the night before the event for participants and their families.
Sabra Ramsdell said the dinner will feature a raffle, music and local artisan vendors, and the runners can pre-register or pick up their bibs and T-shirts for the race the next day.
As of press time, the duo said they raised $48,000 from the race so far between sponsorships and registrations, and the organization has a goal of reaching $65,000. The money will go toward the many programs SRM offers.
“This is a great opportunity for people to go out and share and help and really bolster what we’re doing here,” Kevin Ramsdell said.
People can learn more about SRM and this race by visiting the organization’s website: springfieldrescuemission.org. According to the organization, it costs $40 to register for the race, and people have the option of forming their own group. Participants can also register the day of the race.
