Event Description
United Community Change Non Profit Organization presents the 4th Annual Freedom Run & Walk Celebration. The Freedom Run & Walk Celebration is a diverse, educational, cultural, and progressive experience. The event promotes increasing the exposure of minority community members in business, arts, health and more by creating a event space and platform to share diverse community talents ,services and culture on this day for the entire community to experience.
Want to Volunteer ? CLICK HERE TO JOIN US
While we focus on praising the successful accomplishments, freedoms and success stories minorities have achieved in America from historic slavery , oppression, racism and unfair disadvantages we also promote health and wellness through this sport and target community members to embrace their differences and change their lives through healthy eating habits by using physical activities that bring them closer to their community and families. We welcome and encourage all cultures and backgrounds in our community to run and walk with us while embracing and celebrating ALL AMERICAN Freedoms on this day.
A bit of history and why this event is important for the community: June 19 1865 also known as Juneteenth gave many African American Slaves their freedom and was the beginning of a Journey to find land and establish a new life away from plantations for black families. Many of the black freed slaves went on to start farms that later would be taken by force or by using unfair practices by the prior slave owners. Due to the unfortunate circumstances they had to endure minorities have been displaced from healthy eating habits and fresh foods, Have faced increased mental health crisis and ongoing health issues from years of oppression and limited resources. Black Americans have had the highest rates of obesity and heart disease in our nation. UCC believes in connecting African Americans and minorities back to agriculture as a way to inspire independence, freedom and create thriving lifestyles. We feel agriculture is the answer to many issues BIPOC (emphasis on Black American) community members are facing today. We strive to teach, mentor and assist these disadvantaged individuals in entrepreneurship, and agriculture.
The Freedom Run & Walk: will introduce minority participants young and old to the thriving local farms in the community that are an alternative from the unhealthy eating habits that have been used for centuries for survival amongst the black communities. Through this endeavor we hope to expose our local farmers to families who need them the most and make an positive impact on minority emotional , mental and physical health while the entire community joins to support this efforts. We hope this event encourages multiple backgrounds and cultures to make their health a priority while also reflecting on the Freedoms gained in agriculture that truly bring us together as a equitable community.
Help us promote community unity and increase diverse and inclusive civic participation. This event is an opportunity for you to be apart of community diversity equity and inclusion education and growth .
Event Proceeds:
Proceeds from this event will go to United Community Change to expand our Healthy Food Access, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Youth empowerment, Justice Re-Entry, Civic and Housing community programs.
This Years Fundraiser Focus: Development of a new local Farm to School program targeted to disadvantaged community members youth, teens and young adults. Emphasize historic diversity and health disparities and provide education to influence healthy educated decisions that create a more equitable and accessible future food system amongst new generations. This Program will help us inspire our children to accept various cultures while also understanding different life backgrounds as we increase life expectancies that earn participants more life control, freedom and personal independence through agriculture training. We expect that students will encourage parents to change the home lifestyle choices regarding food, mental health and family connections.
We seek to also fund and benefit local farm and business projects that align with our mission and vision such as Soul Fresh Farms, Multicultural Business Association, Food Harvest, Burrell and Drew Lewis Foundation to assist disadvantaged local families affected by poverty, oppression and or lack of nutrition and resources. Funds will be distributed based on organizational needs and as desired and available.
EVENT ACTIVITIES:
5K Freedom Run / Walk Race 7:30 am - 10:30 am - Get your Tennis on and race to the finish line. Go as fast or as slow paced as your want. Set a personal goal and beat your own record each year. The most important part is to reflect on your freedoms and celebrate the freedoms that we have achieved up until today. Participants will win awards and get T-shirts and swag bag items 07:30 AM—Packet. Walk and Run while learning about the history of the Nations Freedoms. Stop to dance at your own leisure take picture and photo opportunities while tagging #JuneteenthFreedomWalk2023 and #EmpowerUS earn prizes and so much more. Invite your entire family and walk or run for "Freedom". All ages welcome.
Pickup and Walk Up Registration opens
08:30 AM—Walk Up Registration closes
09:00 AM—5K Starts
10:30 AM—Awards Ceremony (as soon as 1K is finished
5K Freedom Run / Walk Virtual Participants: = You get the flexibility of running your race wherever you feel comfortable. If you want to support but want to take safer precautions this is for you. You will get all the goodies in a virtual format and shipped or allowed to pick up your T-shirt and a medal and a printable Award certificate before or during Registration pickup . Its all based on the honor system. So, record your race time when you are finished and don't forget to come back for race time results to see the winners both here and in the United Community Change Facebook group.
Early Registration By December 31 2022 : Adults $35 Kids $30
Includes all entertainment, 5k run/walk entry and park access, Swag Bag with sponsor goodies , T-shirt , Race Bib, Medal opportunity.
Community Juneteenth Parade 12pm - 1pm - Bring your kids to collect candy from the participants that drive walk and ride down Traffic way to celebrate Freedom. Watch band performances and more community participants represent the importance of freedom, diversity , and tolerance in our community.
Line up Begins @11:30pm Parade Begins at 12pm - 1pm.
Park Celebration - 2pm - 6pm @ Jordan Valley Ice Park Enjoy announcements , raffles, speakers a bit of history along with food activities and performances for the remainder of the day. Connect with community members and Non profit and For profit organizations and small businesses. Let the kids enjoy Bounce Houses, bubbles, face paint stations and more.
Want to Volunteer ? CLICK HERE TO JOIN US
Visit us on social media: Use our hashtags to get your friends to join you . #JuneteenthFreedomWalk2023 and #EmpowerUS #UnitedCommunityChange
https://www.facebook.com/UCCEmpowers
