This Christmas season a record number of runners turned up dressed as Santa at fun runs in cities on either side of the Atlantic. Several cities were aiming to break the world record for Largest Santa Gathering. So which one took the prize?

On Saturday, December 1st the Las Vegas Great Santa Run was first out of the gate with 7,269 enthusiastic participants. You can even view the gunshot start with thanks to the complete running network, who have reposted the YouTube video of the event. Read more… »

Here’s another amazing charity walk story, this time from Ireland. Pollyanne Hooley recently finished a 387 mile trek from Dublin to Glenbeigh in 24 days. She did this to raise money for The Smile Train, an international charity that provides surgery for children who suffer from cleft lip and palate.

As quoted in the Malvern Gazette, Ms. Hooley said:

I had a brilliant time, and met some lovely and incredibly generous people. What a simple way to live, just sleeping, walking and eating, with a little drinking from time to time.

She raised funds from family and friends and used a JustGiving page so that people could donate online. Through these efforts $5,000 was raised for The Smile Train.

Olivia Newton-John will lead a charity walk on the Great Wall of China. The walk will raise funds to build the Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. The walk will happen in the three weeks prior to the Beijing Olympics occuring on August 8, 2008.

John says “It is not built yet. We are still raising money. I’ll be walking with ex-Olympians, current Chinese Olympians and famous people from all walks of life. “I am looking for sponsors. I am very excited. I just want to be alive to see the centre built.”

Source: Contact Music.com

Although they were expecting quite a storm, the sun shone and the weather agreed to cooperate with the United Way’s plans for their fifth annual Walk the Walk 5K event held on Friday, October 19th. The event is usually held in September but this year was held in October.

This year’s event raised more than $22,000. Funds raised will benefit 37 different agencies and 85 health and human service programs through the United Way of the Coastal Empire according to Penny Cox, Director of Marketing and Special Events. The United Way of the Coastal Empire holds one 5K event every year.

More than 300 people came out to enjoy the day and participate in the event. This is an “average” number compared to years previous, though Cox wondered if the threatening weather reports had kept some people from coming to the event this year. The event was staffed by approximately 20 members, staff and volunteers. They helped register people the day of the event, handed out T-shirts, passed out food and drinks and manned the finish line. Food was donated by the Wild Wing Cafe, a popular restaurant in Savannah, Georgia.

Source: wotc tv, interview with Cox

Jim and Joanne Panozzo began a fundraising walk six years ago for their 8-year-old daughter Sarah, the walk “Smiles for Sarah-Take a hike for NF research and Children’s Memorial Hospital.” Sarah has neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow on nerve endings in the body.

The Panozzos have created a fundraising walk to benefit neurofibromatosis research and Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s walk will be held in Central Park in Oak Forest.

This year the Panozzos are encouraging their 16-year-old twin sons Jim and Mike, and 13-year-old daughter Nikki to become more active in the family fundraiser. The siblings are soliciting for donors and sponsors. The two boys have written a letter, calling their fundraising appeal “Big Kids Helping Little Kids.”

The reason for having the siblings take a more active role this year was important to Mr. Panozzo:

“It’s a disease that affects the family,” Jim Panozzo said. “Everybody has hardships. We just need to give back. My thing is I tell the kids to be thankful for their blessings. If there is something you can do for others, you do it.

This year they raised $18,000, and Panozzo feels this is because of his childrens’ involvement. In years previous they have raised $10,000 - $12,000.

This year 400 people participated. It was a larger group of people than every before. There was also a post party after the walk to benefit Make a Wish that raised $1500.

“We’re just trying to help down the road, not just what my daughter has, but other diseases. I wanted to get my kids involved. Because that’s the next generation doing it (charity work).” said Jim Panozzo.

Source: oakforeststar.com

Members of Team World Vision were easy to spot at the Chicago Marathon in their orange and white. This year’s race, held on October 7th, was a hot and humid but that didn’t matter to the over 500 members of Team World Vision who ran for children in Africa.

One team member said “seeing the athletes so vulnerable, crying out for water or anything to drink was like experiencing just a tiny yet terrifying taste of the vulnerability which those for whom we are fundraising face every day.” Read more… »

The “Save a Life” Community Walk will be held in San Diego, California on Sunday, October 28th. The walk is to raise awareness about teen suicide. It will be held at the Balboa Park. It is a 5k walk.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youths aged 15 through 24. For the 10 to 14 age range, it is the fourth leading cause of death. Funds raised from the walk will be used for suicide prevention programs and outreach in Southern California.

“It’s not much but it feels like it’s all we can do at this point,” said Dawn Miller. Miller lost a son to suicide at 27-years-old in 2005. “We can’t change history, as much as we would like. We don’t want anyone else to have to deal with the same thing and it seems like it’s impacted so many people even in our small community.”

Source: Idyllwild Town Crier