Shawnee Fun Run Blasts Off Saturday to Benefit Make-A-Wish

Whether you’re a student, an athlete, a senior citizen or a mom pushing a tiny tot in a stroller, helping your community will be a breeze at ’s eighth annual Fun Run, set for Saturday.

This year continues the tradition of offering various levels of physical challenge to encourage wide participation, while at the same time raising money for a worthy cause. Profits from this year’s Fun Run will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, said organizer Deanna Skelcy, who teaches physical education at Shawnee.

The Make A Wish Foundation grants wishes for seriously ill children.

“It’s open to the community," said Shawnee Elementary School Principal Christine Robershaw. "We hope everyone comes out to support our community and to support a great cause. It starts 9 a.m. sharp, rain or shine."

Skelcy said this year’s 3-mile run/walk, which starts at the school and goes through nearby neighborhoods, is a little different. Instead of separating participants into age groups or awarding ribbons for the first three people to cross the finish line, she wanted to make it more family-friendly.

“At the finish line all the participants will get a ribbon and a hand-made ceramic star, which is our school mascot, but which also ties into Make-A-Wish, because the money we’re raising goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation," she said. "The first 200 runners will be getting one of these stars at the finish line, so it’s promoting health, fitness and an active lifestyle. We usually have 120 participants, but I’m hoping it will be around 150.”

And if you can’t run, you can walk, Robershaw added.

Skelcy noted this is the third year event profits have gone to Make-A-Wish, which received a $4,000 donation from last year’s Fun Run.

The 3-mile run/walk event has been part of the Shawnee Elementary tradition since the school's opening nine years ago. Skelcy, who has been organizing the event for the past three years, is a strong proponent of the values of health and fitness, along with her husband, Mark, their 12-year-old son and twin daughters, 14.

“I did it principally for students and their families," Skelcy said. "I’m a runner myself. This is a way I can give back to the community and promote healthy living. My husband and I have been running most of our lives and we kind of forced our kids into it."

The event benefits a differnt charity every year. 

“This year it’s Make-A-Wish," Robershaw said. "It’s a very good organization that makes a difference, and what we’re hoping to do is make a difference.”

The Shawnee Elementary Fun Run will kick off at the school, at 21555 Vesper in Macomb. Entry forms are available at runmichigan.com in the calendar section. Entry is $10 per student; $15 per adult and $50 for families of more than four. Call (586) 723-6800.