MARTHA’S VINEYARD – A collection of Martha’s Vineyard residents will be running in the 2019 Falmouth Road Race this year for a good cause.
Seventeen Island residents will run the race on behalf of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) as part of the race’s Numbers for Nonprofits Program.
Falmouth’s Numbers for Nonprofit Program reserves race bib numbers for Massachusetts based charities to use as a fundraising tool. To date, over $10 million has been raised through the program by participating organizations.
“This has been an exciting endeavor for us. We started last year with 11 runners and we blew our goal out of the water raising $20,000 to support the unfunded care provided by our staff here at Community Services,” said MVCS Communications Director Mary Korba.
“This year, we have 17 runners signed up, the youngest being 13 years of age and the oldest in their sixties, so it’s a wide range of folks who want to come out and support Community Services.”
Each team member has a unique tie to both the Island and MVCS. From MVCS staff members and health professionals, to students and local business owners – each runner has their own reason for participating.
Long-time Island “wash ashore,” Casey O’Connor, ran on behalf of MVCS in last year’s Falmouth Road Race and looks forward running again this year; understanding the impact MVCS has on our community.
“We, I, they, struggle with seasonal depression, substance use disorder, loneliness, vocational issues, family life, etc. MVCS is that primary stepping stone to help us better ourselves and adjust.”
While each runner has set up their own personal fundraising page, various community events have also been scheduled to raise funds and awareness around the cause.
Korba says the nonprofit is hoping to raise $30,000 this year.
“We’re hoping that people will once again support us this year. We have some great community outreach and some sponsorship packages that are available through our team sponsorship program. So, businesses who want to support the team can receive benefits that include having their logo on our shirt and some media coverage of their support of our team. It’s exciting and we’re hoping to continue the major success of it,” Korba explained.
Town MV will host a Dine to Donate on Monday from 5:00 p.m. until close, with a percentage of sales benefitting the Falmouth Road Race Team.
On August 10, Lilly Pulitzer in Edgartown will host a shop-and-share with a percentage of sales that day going toward the team’s fundraising goal. Community members are encouraged to attend and spread the word.
Funds raised through the Numbers for Nonprofit program will directly benefit MVCS six core programs: CONNECT to end violence, Disability Services, Early Childhood Programs, Island Counseling Center, Island Wide Youth Collaborative, and the Thrift Shop.
The 2019 Road Race kicks off on Sunday, August 18. Over 11,000 runners are expected to gather for the race, which starts on Water Street and finishes at the beach in Falmouth Heights.
To donate to the cause or learn more visit https://www.mvcommunityservices.org/get-involved/.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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