Event Description
Join us this September for our 7th Annual Steps of Faith 5K Run/Walk & Food Drive at Alum Creek Park off of Main St in Westerville.
Steps of Faith 5K is a community event celebrating all abilities—whether you are able to run, walk, or wheel your way to the finish line. Steps of Faith was inspired by a central Ohio Run For God community with the simple desire to glorify God in all that we do. The event is an opportunity to encourage one another in fellowship to run our race (Hebrews 12:1). This year’s race carries additional meaning as part of the 200th birthday celebration of Church of the Messiah United Methodist. The event will take place not far from the original gathering site for this congregation along Alum Creek.
NEW THIS YEAR, a Food Drive is being organized at the race by Drew Reed, a scout from Boy Scout Troop 560 as his Eagle Project. Participants and spectators are invited to bring food items. Collected food items will be donated locally to the food pantry at the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (W.A.R.M.).
Music at the event will be provided by 104.9 The River!
All race proceeds will be distributed by Church of the Messiah United Methodist to support The Heinzerling Foundation and Bradley’s House of Hope, both working to engage & develop individuals with disabilities in a loving & nurturing environment.
Heinzerling Community is a private non-profit organization that provides a residential home for 208 children and adults with severe or profound developmental disabilities. Heinzerling is located on the southwest side of Columbus, OH.
Bradley’s House of Hope is a facility under the care of Tesoros de Dios (God’s Treasures), a private non-profit organization serving nearly 100 children with disabilities in Nicaragua, the 2nd poorest country in the western hemisphere. The facility is named after a former resident of Heinzerling.
Proceeds distributed from this year’s event will support the transportation needs of Heinzerling Community and Tesoros de Dios. Heinzerling transports its 200+ as needed for activities or events, and regularly faces updating its vehicle fleet. Last year, Tesoros de Dios spent nearly $12,000 in diesel and gas as they transported 126 children and their caregivers to and from the facility throughout the year. Transportation is a free service for students enrolled at Tesoros de Dios and an absolute necessity in Nicaragua, where car ownership is not common and public transportation is not accessible for children with physical disabilities.
Once again we will also hold the Team Challenge! See below for more details.
