The ongoing mission of RACE for the Orphans is Raising Awareness Compassion and Education about the needs of orphans around the world. Each annual 5K event is a fundraiser to help local families who have a heart to adopt and love an orphan. The RACE atmosphere provides an exciting and family-friendly time of healthy competition. More importantly, though, the adoption momentum grows when a community comes together for the united objective of helping to reduce the world’s 150+ million orphan population…even if by just one child at a time.
History
More than 360 runners and walkers participated in the inaugural RACE for the Orphans in 2013. Jason and Kelly Preston combined their passion for running with their passion for adoption by organizing the inaugural RACE that was held on April 13, 2013, to help raise funds to bring their daughter, Jenna, home from China. The event was so successful and supported by the community that they committed to make the RACE an annual event to help raise money for other families in the process of adopting.
Raising Money for Adopting Families
RACE for the Orphans partners with adoption agencies to identify families in the process of adopting that meet the RACE grant criteria. Families submit their grant application to the RACE for the Orphans Fund at Lifesong for Orphans. The RACE Board of Directors works in conjunction with professionals at Lifesong to select families that will receive the grant funds from that year’s event. The more participants and sponsors we have at the RACE, the more money we can give each family.
