St. Philip’s Teen Organizing Run/Walk for Sudan
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Source: The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh
October 24,2008
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More than 200 people have already signed up to run in an October 25 event designed to help Christians and others in the Sudan. The "Harvest Moon 10 Mile Run and 5K Walk" is being organized by St. Philip’s teen Bethany Storm.
Storm, who is a senior at Moon Area High School, said that proceeds from the run will actually benefit two projects in the Sudan. First, a portion of the proceeds that remain after expenses are covered will purchase the freedom of modern-day slaves. Storm said her eyes were opened to this barbaric practice while reading the book "Slave" by Mende Nazar, a survivor of the modern day slave trade in Sudan. "That is when it dawned on me that slavery was still in the world today. It still happens to people," she explained.
According to Storm, it costs about $50 to free a modern day slave in Sudan.
Storm said that another portion of the profits from the run will go to help send a team from St. Philip’s to the Kenyan-Sudanese border where they will work with the Good Shepherd Leadership Training Center. This ministry works to train Sudanese Christian leaders and to strengthen the Anglican Church in Sudan.
Initially, St. Philip’s was planning on sending a team a little over a year ago. However, political unrest in Kenya made travel impossible. Storm’s mother, the Rev. Elaine Storm, was slated to participate in that trip and has worked closely with Bethany in organizing the October 25 run.
According to Elaine, teams previously sent to the Good Shepherd Leadership Training Center have helped train Christian leaders in skills ranging from basic medicine to understanding the Bible.
The run is being professionally supported and sponsored by Elite Runners and Walkers. Both the 10 mile run and the five kilometer run/walk begin at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 25 in the St. Philip’s parking lot. Fees to participate are $25 or $30 on race day. At the conclusion of the race, there will be food, music, an awards ceremony and raffle.