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Community Corner

A Blustery Day Didn't 'Scare' These Runners Away

The Second Annual Scare Away Hunger 5K raised more than $20,000 for the Rochester Area Neighborhood House.

The Food Pantry at the Rochester Area Neighborhood House has been running on empty.

For the first time ever in its 45-year history it was nearly out of tuna fish.

"We used to have a room full of tuna," director Lorainne Kremer said. "Now we're down to two cases."

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With a typical day seeing 17 families at the Food Pantry, two cases would not last long.

It was a scary situation—until 470 runners and walker came to scare hunger away.

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The 2nd Annual Scare Away Hunger 5K

Sponsored by Renaissance Capital Alliance and Citizens Bank, the event, in addition to the run, is an opportunity for the community to bring their families out to the Rochester Municipal Park, have fun and raise money for those in need.

This year's event raised over $20,000 for the Rochester Area Neighborhood House.

The day included pumpkin rolling races, an obstacle course, face painting, crafts and a scavenger hunt. The RARA Dance Studio’s Select Performance Team entertained the crowd with dance performances.

"Despite the blustery weather, people were having a lot of fun!" volunteer coordinator Patti Toma said. "It was a great day!"

And then, of course, there was the race.

And the winners are....

This year's 5K had 470 runners and walkers. Here are the winners:

MALES

 

 

Winner Type

Name

 

Overall Winner

Nick Rossetti 

 

Male 13 & under

Stephen Landis

 

Male 14 - 19 

Joshua Tanghe

 

 

Male 20-29

Joseph Becker

 

Male 30-39 

Brian Ward

 

Male 40-49

Rob Doty

 

Male 50-59 

Steve Shablin

 

Male 60 & over

Daniel Beattie

 

 

 

 

FEMALES

 

 

Winner Type

Name

 

Overall Winner

Jennifer Blackburn

 

Female 13 & under

Rielee Fetty

 

Female 14 -19

Meridith Anness

 

Female 20-29

Carly Savickas

 

Female 30-39

Agnieszka Muxlow

 

Female 40-49

Laura Murphy

 

Female 50-59

Kristin Pitciran

 

Female 60 & over

Lois MacFarland

 

The full list of results are available at http://www.runmichigan.com/results/.

Filling up the van, Mustang style

Musson Elementary School students, known as the Mustangs, supported the event in another way. They had a canned food drive and donated over 450 cans of food to the Scare Away Hunger event. 

"The Neighborhood House van is filled up!" Executive Director Linda Riggs said. "We haven't seen it this full in awhile." 

Musson also had an art display at the park showcasing students' representations of the Scare Away Hunger theme.

About the Neighborhood House

The Rochester Area Neighborhood House is a private, non-profit human service organization that was founded by communities of faith in 1968. 

Neighborhood House has grown over the years to become a full service agency servicing any qualifying families in need from Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township and Addison Township.

The agency mission is to assist the community during times of hardship, partnering with the community and other social service providers to help struggling individuals and families move toward self sufficiency.  

Neighborhood House works from a holistic model providing emergency financial assistance, counseling, job coaching, budget assistance, transportation, food assistance, clothing assistance, and more to families in our service area. 

To find out more, call 248-651-5836. 

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