Red, orange, yellow, run! Rainbow Run and Kids Dash raise money for local youth program

July 25, 2014

Fast Facts:

There has been a 50 percent growth in the number of kids in the Montgomery County 4-H program over the past four years
Rainbow Run and Kids Dash are to raise money for the program
Rainbow Run is $25 through August 14, $30 Aug. 15-Sept. 5, $35 on race day. Kids Dash costs $10 per child. T-shirts are included in the fee.
To register, visit www.racesonline.com or contact the Montgomery County Extension Office at (870) 867-2311.

(321 words)

MONTGOMERY, Ark. –The first ever Rainbow Run will splash colors on runners and help fund the rapidly growing Montgomery County 4-H program. This youth development program has seen a huge increase in the number of kids in the past four years.

“We have experienced over 50 percent growth,” which in turn requires the program to raise money to cover the added expenses of programs and activities,” said Amy Monk, Montgomery County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

The 5K run starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Courthouse Square and goes through the beautiful scenery of Mount Ida. Runners will be showered with colored powder at each kilometer along the run.

Besides the Rainbow Run, there is a Kids Dash, which is open to kids 10 years old and younger. The dash will be a shorter version of the Rainbow Run. Kids Dash starts at 8:30 a.m.

Registration for both races is at 8 a.m.

“This 5K run promotes health and fitness, which are part of the 4-H mission, and is a chance to raise money for the youth programs,” said Monk, who is also a coordinator for the run. The county’s 4-H program engages in service projects such as planting gardens for low-income families and putting up holiday decorations at the Senior Center. 4-H also conducts workshops and various camps for youth ages 5 through 19. In addition to that, for six Fridays in the summer, the county’s 4-H program teaches life skills in a fun way. “This summer’s program has included salsa making, robotics, and water safety, just to name a few,” she said.

Registration for Rainbow Run is $25 through August 14, $30 from Aug. 15 through Sept. 5, and $35 on race day. Kids Dash costs $10 per kid. T-shirts are included in the fee.

To register, visit www.racesonline.com or contact the Montgomery County Extension Office at (870) 867-2311.

4-H is a youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. The 4-H Mission is to provide opportunities for youth to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes, and practice behavior that will enable them to become self directing, productive, and contributing members of society.

All meetings and activities announced in this news release are open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should notify the county Extension office as soon as possible prior to the activity.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

By Kezia Nanda
For the Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

Related Links