Run for Renewal will benefit youth programs

By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger

DAVENPORT – The 11th annual Run for Renewal to benefit youth programs at Project Renewal will be April 18. The half-mile kids “Treat House Trot” begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. The runs begin and end at Sr. Concetta Park at Sixth and Warren streets.

Ann Schwickerath, Project Renewal director, said the event is held to give the youths an opportunity to do something active and healthy with their families. It’s also a positive event for the neighborhood, brings awareness and is a fundraiser for the after-school and summer program.

Project Renewal strives to offer a loving presence and to empower children and families. The programs offer youths a place to do homework, receive educational assistance, participate in physical and mental activities and learn positive behavior and social skills.

This year, Humility of Mary Housing and Lydia Home families are being invited to attend and their fees are being waived, Schwickerath said.

The trot is for youths ages 9 and under. Pre-registered youths will receive an event T-shirt. Parents can run with their children and strollers are allowed.

For the 5K, medals will be awarded to overall male and female winners, top male and female in five-year age increments from ages 15-70, and for the divisions 14 and under and 70 and older.

Run for Renewal is part of the Corn Belt Running Club race circuit.
Schwickerath said funds raised will help pay for fitness events such as swimming and track programs. Some funds also help families pay for other sports program fees such as soccer or softball.

Project Renewal serves about 35 students each week in grades K-12. “One really neat thing is we are close to 100 percent participation from our families,” she said. It may be a youth and parent or other relative participating in the walk or offering to volunteer.

For more information on Project Renewal visit www.projectrenewal.net or call (563) 324-0800. To register, visit www.getme
registered.com and click on search for event, type in Davenport and scroll down to Project Renewal.

There is no fee for the trot, but to guarantee a T-shirt, registration must be made by April 4. Cost for the 5K is $20.

A traveling trophy will be awarded to the church with the most participants, the fastest church member and the fastest Davenport Police Department member.