Kellogg Community College alumna Megan McKown is organizing a 5K run and other events to benefit Community Unlimited, an area nonprofit in need of funding for after-school programming.
McKown, a high school art teacher at Union City Community Schools who attended KCC in 2002 and 2003, was the middle school site coordinator for CU from 2008 to 2010. When she heard recently that the organization would not see a renewal of a significant 21st Century federal grant, she posted the news online.
The result is a series of Glow for Community Unlimited events scheduled for this Friday evening, July 12, at the Union City High School Field House, 430 St. Joseph St., Union City.
“When I posted that Community Unlimited did not receive their grant, Anna Cox, my former math instructor at KCC, said she knew I could come up with something great to help them out,” McKown said in an email. “I love to run races and have a goal to run 1,000 miles this year, so I picked a fundraiser that I would love to put on and that would benefit the community in more ways than one.”
Race-day registration and packet pickup for the events will begin at 8:30 p.m., a half-mile kids fun run will begin at 9 p.m., a competitive 5K Glow in the Dark Run will begin at 10 p.m., a 5K fun run will begin at 10:15 p.m. and a one-mile walk with the option of dressing like a zombie will begin at 10:30 p.m.
Cox, who has signed up for the one-mile zombie walk, said she had McKown in several classes at KCC and called McKown an “amazing and a really interesting person.”
“What a great idea to give back to the community,” Cox said of the race. “It is a great cause organized by a wonderful lady.”
The registration fee, which can be paid on race day, is $25, with funds donated to CU to help fund a high school after-school program. McKown said supporting the organization is important to her because the program lessens dropout rates and improves GPAs while keeping kids off the streets, providing them with a free dinner and mentors.
“Community Unlimited was more than just a job for me, it was a way to positively impact the lives of youth,” McKown said. “Another focus of CU has always been to give back to the community through community service. Now is the community’s time to give back to CU.”
More information about the Glow for Community Unlimited events can be found online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/UnionCity/GlowforCommunityUnlimited. Questions about the events should be directed to McKown at megan.smith_40@yahoo.com.