Neighbors Rally for Matt's Mile & 5K Run/Walk

Sept. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- When Steve and Julie Hupp created the 12 Oaks Foundation, they decided one of its primary goals would be to help strengthen communities. Now, the foundation’s first major fundraiser, Matt’s Mile & 5K, is walking the talk. More than 60 community volunteers have signed up to help on race day, and others have already shifted into action—planning the festivities, collating race packets and stuffing goody bags. The inaugural event will take place Oct. 8 at 5 p.m., in the Prairie Crossing subdivision of Grayslake.

“I didn’t have to go looking for help at all,” said Heather Pietchmann, volunteer coordinator for the event. Pietchmann was surprised how many area residents quickly stepped forward to help with race registration, marshal the courses, hand out water and other jobs.

Many of the volunteers know the Hupps personally or felt moved by the story of their son, Matt Hupp, who lost his battle with cancer last year at age 13. Established in his honor, the 12 Oaks Foundation helps covers fees for sports and other extracurricular activities for children in families experiencing personal or financial hardship. At least half of all grants awarded will go to help families coping with cancer.

“I think 12 Oaks provides an incredible opportunity for the park district and the community as a whole,” said Kristin Splitt, Superintendent of Recreation for the Grayslake Park District. “We have numerous families that would love to take part in activities, but—especially in this economy—don’t have the means to pay for them.” Splitt adds that activities like sports and other afterschool programs benefit the community in ways that far outweigh their cost.

Matt’s Mile & 5K and other fundraising efforts will enable 12 Oaks to begin offering grants through the park district and other community partners beginning next year. The foundation will also assist grant-in-aid programs and eventually offer college scholarships for high school students with exceptional academic and community service records.

Races will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, the day Matt Hupp would’ve turned 15 years old. Matt’s Mile will lead off with separate one-mile races for children and adults. At 5:40 p.m., runners and walkers of all ages will queue up for Matt’s 5K, a chip-timed 3.1-mile run/walk on trails surrounding Lake Aldo Leopold. The top three males and females in each age bracket will take home medals. As an extra incentive, all runners who can beat Matt Hupp’s best one-mile race time of 6:13 or 5K race time of 21:37 will also qualify for a prize raffle held at 7 p.m. during the awards ceremony.

At the finish line, participants can stay and enjoy live music by The Faculty, dinner options including a gourmet burger bar by StarGrazer Cafe, a raffle, silent auction, beer and soda. The 5K event pre-registration fee of $35 includes the post-race party, a meal ticket and a drink ticket. Matt’s Mile runners age 14 and younger will pay only $25, and onlookers can gain admission to just the party for $15. All proceeds benefit the 12 Oaks Foundation.

To register for Matt’s Mile & 5K or make a donation to 12 Oaks, visit www.12oaksfoundation.org.

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A nationally-recognized nonprofit 501c(3) charity, 12 Oaks Foundation helps cover fees for sports and other extracurricular programs for children in families experiencing personal or financial hardships. At least half of all funds awarded go to help families coping with cancer. Partnering with community organizations, 12 Oaks assists grant-in-aid programs and is establishing college scholarships to aid students with exceptional academic and community service records. The charity was founded in 2010 by Steve and Julie Hupp in memory of their son, Matthew Hupp (1995—2009). For more information, visit www.12oaksfoundation.org or call (847) 543-7581.