Each year, Northumberland County Children and Youth Services sponsors a Christmas program for children who otherwise would not receive Christmas gifts. Through the generosity of many individual and corporate donors, 950 children received gifts in 2014. Our Runner Sunday proceeds will go to this fund. Grants vary from year to year, and the need is great. 23% of county children live at or below the poverty line. (Source info)
After the Christmas program, surplus monies are held in a charitable fund, used for direct help to keep families intact. Sometimes it is simply a matter of one item a family cannot afford that puts them on the edge of foster care placement. In the past, this fund has helped with things like beds for children or pest exterminations, that have allowed a home to meet legal requirements for safe housing.
The Runner Sunday race will forward all proceeds after race costs to the fund. We hope for sponsorships to help cover costs (timing, food, shirts, etc.) so that more of the registration fees can go to the charity. A financial accounting will be available on this site after the race.