COURTESY
CLAREMONT — Staff members from Red River Company have joined forces with TLC Family Resource Center to help plan the agency’s Born to Run 5K race, set for Saturday, Sept. 22, and enhance it with an obstacle course. The collaboration stems from the work TLC is doing with the High-Impact Volunteer Engagement (HIVE) program through the NH Center for Nonprofits.
HIVE is a one-year program that pairs a select group of nonprofits, chosen through a competitive process, throughout New Hampshire with a volunteer engagement specialist to change how the organizations work with their volunteers. TLC is using the opportunity to engage more volunteers to plan and execute its yearly Born to Run 5K race held in Cornish. Through the process, TLC reached out to members of the community to find volunteers, which included Gina Burke at the Red River Company in Claremont.
“When we met with Gina, it was clear that this could be a great collaboration,” said TLC Executive Director Maggie Monroe-Cassel, according to a press release. “Gina and members of the Red River staff had planned and run Rock the Camo 5K in Claremont with an obstacle course. That aligned perfectly with the expansion we wanted for our event.”
Burke was intrigued by the idea, according to the press release.
“Knowing we were taking a break on Rock Your Camo this year and focusing on other veteran initiatives I was happy to take my race planning skills and resources to the Born to Run 5K. Red River has always encouraged us to make a difference in our communities and this seemed like a perfect way to get involved,” said Burke.
Burke found another member of the Red River Company team, Gabe Giacomo, to join the committee. Giacomo had worked on creating the obstacle course for the Rock the Camo 5K event, which TLC described as a perfect fit for the expansion of the event.
“Bringing in Gabe was a no-brainer. He was the man power, brains and designer of our dirty dash and I knew he would be a huge asset here. We are looking forward to see how we can help expand this event for TLC,” Burke continued.
Giacomo said he was excited to join the team.
“After hearing about the Born to Run 5K event, I was excited about the opportunity to continue to our community on behalf of Red River!” said Giacomo. “I love creating and creativity, so being able to channel that effort into an event like this and work together with Gina, Neil, and the team really hits home for me.”
The committee, which includes members of the HIVE team and those from Red River, has been meeting since early April to determine what the scope of the changes will be and to plan the event.
“It has been an interesting process. Through the HIVE program I have learned much about who is doing the volunteering, what volunteers are looking for, and how to integrate that into the evolving volunteer program at TLC,” said Neil Allen, a former AmeriCorps VISTA member who served at TLC and was instrumental in the agency becoming involved in the HIVE program. “I’m excited for the changes to the event and seeing how it can evolve to support the agency not only as a fundraiser but also strengthen our connection to the community by involving them in the process.
TLC Family Resource Center supports and strengthens all families, children, and youth with a wide range of free programs, support groups, education, and events. For more information about the race, visit tlcfamilyrc.org/born-to-run-5K.html.
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