Superheroes swoop in for fundraiser 5K
SLIPPERY ROCK — Ever since the Marvel Cinematic Universe was unleashed upon moviegoers in 2008, the public has been inundated with superheroes and superheroines in brightly colored costumes.
However, at Slippery Rock University, it's not the Hulk or Captain America swooping in to save the day, but rather graduate student volunteers — who will be wearing costumes as part of the April 8 “Harrisville Superhero 5K,” a 5K-run and 1-mile walk for persons with and without special needs. As a disability-friendly event, the race will offer sidekicks to push wheelchairs or run alongside other competitors.
The event, hosted students in SRU's physician assistant studies program, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Harrisville Community Park. Race volunteers will be dressed in superhero garb as a way to connect with participating special-needs children.
“We wanted to dress up for the kids we'll be supporting to make the event more relaxed,” said Deepa Mani, a physician assistant graduate student from Slippery Rock. “There is most likely a lot of stress involved in their lives, so we hope that this day will be fun for them.”
Mani is one of eight students who helped create the 5K initiative. A member of the inaugural physician assistant class at Slippery Rock, Mani said the inspiration for the race came from her program's emphasis on service.
“As PAs, there is always a great value placed on finding ways to aid our community,” Mani said. “Our class places a real focus on helping the special-needs population and felt that the Superhero 5K was a tool to help accomplish that.”
Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Sewickley-based Laughlin Children's Center, a nonprofit organization offering “multidisciplinary education support services to children from preschool through high school.”
The center, which annually assists more than 1,500 children from Allegheny and other surrounding counties, offers individual tutoring, study skills, speech-language and occupational therapies, counseling, and instruction for students with dyslexia.
Doug Florey, the center's executive director, said, “We are pleased to be approached by these volunteers. They seem really organized.”
“Some of our staff will be attempting to run. Center representatives will be there,” he said.
While the goal of race organizers is to raise awareness and donations for special-needs children, Mani expects the 5K will be as life-changing for her as it could be for the community.
“Having the opportunity to interact with these children, to serve them and to spend time with them, will better me as a person and as someone looking to my future and career.
“A superhero is so much more than someone with special powers. They can be anyone who just makes a different for another person, no matter how big or small,” she said.
WHAT: The Harrisville Superhero 5K.WHEN: April 8 with a 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. race start.WHERE: Harrisville Community Park, 117 S. Main St., Harrisville. Race volunteers will be dressed up in superhero garb as a way to connect with participating special-needs children.INFO: Registration for the event, which is open to the public, is required. Competitors with special needs are free.To register or donate online, visit: www.givetosru.org/superhero5k.
