Nonprofit hosts virtual 5k to support global orphan care
All photos courtesy of Coleman Bailey.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one nonprofit — Serving Orphans Worldwide (SOW) — was forced to cancel their “Light the Way” 5k run scheduled to take place in Cleveland, Tennessee, on Saturday, March 21. Although the run has been postponed to fall 2020, the organization has come up with another way for people to participate.
From now until May 16, SOW is hosting an online 5k fun run. While all donations are welcome, a participant must donate at least $25 to be “registered” for the virtual 5k.
The organization is encouraging people to get outside and walk or run at their own pace. Participants can post photos on social media commemorating their support using the hashtag #LightTheWayOnline5k to raise awareness for the global orphan care crisis.
100% of each donation will go directly to SOW partnering children’s homes, which provide children with necessities. Supporters are also encouraged to create their own Facebook fundraiser for the event. After an individual has made their $25 contribution, they can pick out a t-shirt, a bar of soap or a mug from the SOW store as a thank-you for support.
SOW primarily focuses on raising funds by sharing their story within churches. Without this face-to-face interaction, they have lost the ability to raise funds.
Coleman Bailey, the child sponsorship field coordinator for SOW, emphasized the feeling of helplessness many of the orphanage directors are grappling within the wake of COVID-19.
“In South America, I was talking to a director of one of our partner homes, and before the coronavirus, South America had the third-highest inflation in the world. Now, their economy has spiraled out of control,” said Bailey. “They’ve shut down the banks, so [the directors] haven’t been able to withdraw money from their accounts for a while, so the kids have just been eating lettuce and tomatoes for like a week. Finally, through a local business contact, they were able to withdraw some money from their account [for food],” said Bailey.
Senior intercultural studies major Brielle Palmer is encouraging Lee students to recognize the importance of this event and get involved.
“It is an easy way for [Lee students] to help make a difference. Every little thing helps build toward the larger goal,” Palmer said. “It is also another way for [students] to really get to experience the core values of [Lee]. It helps to make [these values] real and tangible, not just some words and ideas that we study in class.”
Dr. Julie Martinez, an adjunct intercultural studies professor and SOW staff member, reiterated the desperate situation many orphans find themselves in because of the pandemic.
“Banking systems are failing in Africa. There is political unrest as a result from all of that,” said Martinez. “Price gouging is huge. Orphanage directors are having a hard time finding food and supplies that their kids need. Even if they are receiving the money that they normally receive — that would normally be enough — because of price gouging, it is no longer enough.”
To learn more about the organization or sign up for the online 5k, click here.
