Written by Tabitha Clark, The Marion Star
SCHEDULE
Pinwheel Play Day
- 8:30 a.m. – Race registration opens
- 9:30 a.m. – Kids Fun Run
- 10 a.m. – Adult 5k Run/Walk
- 10 a.m. – Games, inflatables and concession stand opens
- 11:30 a.m. – “Our Community, Our Kids” Balloon launch
- 12 p.m. – Easter egg hunt begins
REGISTRATION FOR 5K
Registration for the BGC of Marion Adult 5k Run/Walk:
- Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. with the race at 10 a.m.
- Residents can register online at premier races.com, at the Boys and Girls Club main office, 370 E. Mark St., or at any Fahey Bank branch office.
- Early registration is $20. Registration the day of the race is $25.
For information, contact Director Allison Miracle at 740-387-3462 or allison@bgcmarion.org.
MARION – On Saturday, 679 pinwheels will be placed on the lawn at Marion County Children Services as part of the 5th Annual Pinwheel Play Day. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marion County Children Services.
“The pinwheels serve as a visual reminder of child maltreatment in the community,” said Jacqueline Ringer, director of Marion County Children Services.
She said the event gives families a chance to relax and have fun.
“It just provides the community with a free family fun day. That’s important to us, too.”
Ringer said Children Services has worked with other agencies to bring the event together. The agency collaborated with the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County, the First Church of the Nazarene and Clear Channel.
“During the whole day, we will have the Pinwheel Play Day with inflatables, stations for the kids, and information for the parents.”
There will be an “Our Community, Our Kids” balloon launch at 11:30 a.m., and the Easter egg hunt, sponsored by Clear Channel, will start at noon.
One part of the event will be the Adult 5k Run/Walk fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County.
Allison Miracle said the collaboration with Children Services was perfect because the BGC understands the importance of keeping Marion’s youths safe.
“The Club serves close to 600 youth a year, and we are mandated reporters,” Miracle said.
“We support bringing awareness to the needs of Marion’s children and the services that Children Services provides.”
Registration for the 5k starts at 8:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 10 a.m.
“Our route will begin and end at Children Services,” said Miracle, “It is 3.16 miles. The police will be on hand to watch out for the well-being of the runners.”
There will be awards given out for the overall top male and female, and the top male and female in each age group.
The race will be chip-timed to accurately record every participant’s time.
Miracle said Modern Woodmen of America is doing a match up to $2,500 for the fundraiser, and as of Tuesday, there were already 100 racers registered.
There will also be a Kids Fun Run starting at 9:30 a.m. That race is free, and there is no registration.