Saline High School cross country athletes and their families raised more than $4,500 for Saline Area Social Service, the community agency which provides a food bank and other aid for residents with financial struggles.
The money was raised by 138 people who participated virtually in the Summerfest 5K, Aug. 7-9.
For the last couple years, the Friends of Saline Cross Country has managed the Summerfest 5K in conjunction with the Saline Summerfest event. Money raised was used to support cross country activities for Saline students.
This year, Summerfest was canceled because of concerns around COVID-19. The Friends of Saline Cross Country decided to run the race virtually. But they chose a different beneficiary for fundraising.
"Sports are important, but it seems weird to fundraise for sports during COVID-19. So we used the fundraiser as a tool to help out Saline Area Social Service," Saline boys cross country coach Carl Spina said.
Throughout the weekend, the 138 people went on runs and walks around Saline - or wherever they happened to be that weekend. They shared the images on Twitter and other social media platforms.
On Thursday, members of the team awarded the $4,500 check to Saline Area Social Service.
"It sounds like Saline Area Social Service will find a lot of good use for the funds," Spina said.
Spina said the cross country programs have done a good job managing funds and creating revenue streams, so they were able to forgo the annual summer fundraising with a little belt-tightening.
The boys' team, perennially one of the best in the state, is participating in a vastly different way this year. The team hasn't raced and won't race for some time. They hope to prepare themselves for the chance to race in regionals and the state meet. That means lots of intrasquad training.
Spina said that while the lack of racing can be frustrating, the athletes understand they're fortunate to be running with their teammates - something they weren't able to do in the spring track season.
"There's a lot of value to kids being together and exercising in safe ways. We're trying to keep this a happy place to be while focusing on developing leaders, great athletes and great teammates," Spina said. "There's frustration. Kids want to put on the jersey and race for their school. But they realize we're fortunate to have this time together and they're working hard to keep it safe and keep the sport going.
Sunny, with a high of 59 and low of 34 degrees. Sunny during the morning, partly cloudy in the afternoon and evening, clear overnight.
And not one of these 4 options are open to Saline residents. Saline residents will continue to have to pay to take their items to places like Ann Arbor’s Drop Off Station.
Give us clear, clean, and safe water and then we can think about flower baskets, events and niceties. Priorities Saline.
