KCC alumna organizes Glow in the Dark 5K to raise funds for after-school programming

A graphic for the July 11 Glow Run 5K in Union City.

Kellogg Community College alumna Megan McKown is again 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. She created a series of Glow for Community Unlimited events last year to raise funds for the organization; they begin this year at 9 p.m. Friday, July 11, at the Union City High School Field House, 430 St. Joseph St., Union City.

Race-day registration and packet pickup for the events will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Field House. A kids fun run will begin at 9 p.m., a one-mile walk will begin at 9:30 p.m. and a competitive 5K Glow in the Dark Run and a 5K fun run will begin at 10 p.m.

The registration fees, which can be paid on race day, are $25 for the 5Ks and $20 for the walk, with funds raised donated to CU to help fund a high school after-school program. The Kids Run is free.

McKown said the events drew 200 participants in 2013 and that organizers hope to see between 300 and 400 this year.

“Community Unlimited was more than just a job for me; it was a way to positively impact the lives of youth,” McKown said prior to last year’s events. “A 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.