Earlier this year, Armstrong High School students Noah Atherton and Damon Johnson delivered a check to Orphans of the Storm, a no-kill animal shelter in Kittanning.

The donation came from proceeds of an annual holiday craft fair held by the school’s Educational Assistance for Special Education Club.

When Atherton and Johnson witnessed the crowded conditions at the shelter, they agreed: “We have to do something.” And Rally for Rescues was born.

Rally for Rescues 2K/5K, this Friday evening in Worthington, is an opportunity to run for good. All proceeds help Orphans of the Storm complete construction of a new facility to replace the crowded, flood-prone building it occupies with dozens of rescued dogs and cats.

The races are just part of a packed evening that begins at 4.

There’s a craft and vender show, food trucks, car cruise and social, Strut Your Mutt Parade, kickball games and live music by Armstrong High School students — including a Taiko (Japanese drums) performance — all to benefit Orphans of the Storm. Dogs from the shelter will also pay a visit.

The entire slate of events came from a brain-storming session by a small group of students. Swingle said when she asked them which of the activities they wanted to do, they excitedly said: “All of them!”

The original five planners grew into a group of more than 30 student volunteers under the direction of the EASE Club. EASE faculty advisor Jamie Swingle said they overcame many obstacles throughout the planning.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone involved for their commitment, dedication and willingness to support the community,” she said.

Rally for Rescues 2K, beginning at 6:30 p.m., is a stroll through the small town of Worthington. It’s open to all ages and perfect for kids, walkers, dogs and strollers. There’s also room for competition, as first five finishers earn hand-made wooden medallions.

First five in the 5K distance also earn medallions made by students. The 5K starts at 7:30 p.m. with a loop through Worthington streets and backroads. The course should be familiar to anyone who’s run the annual Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5K, which this year will be held June 20.

Worthington firefighters will be on hand to guide and monitor Rally for Rescues runners and walkers. Swingle said there will be at least four opportunities for water on the course, depending on volunteer staffing, and post-race refreshments of Gatorade and bananas.

Online sign-up for Rally for Rescue 2K/5K is open until 1 p.m. Friday. There’s also day-of-event registration beginning at 4 p.m. at Worthington Firehall. Note: you may participate in both events but must register for each separately.

Elsewhere, at 9 a.m. May 30, Freeport Flash 5K/10K returns to Sarver for a fast out-and-back on Butler-Freeport Trail. It’s another opportunity to run for good as the event is the primary fundraiser for Freeport High School cross country team.

This marks the 21st running of the Freeport Flash and may be the largest field ever. Organizers expect more than 200 participants. There’s also a virtual option if you can’t attend in person.

Register online until 2 p.m. May 29 for a $5 discount. Day-of-event sign-up begins 7:30 a.m. May 30 at Buffalo Nature Center. There’s limited parking at the start area, but a shuttle will be available from 7:15-8:45 a.m. on race day at Freeport High School.

Friday, 7 p.m.: Rally for Rescues 2K/5K, Worthington. Starts at Worthington Fire Hall. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/RallyForRescues2K5K or 724-548-7600, ext. 1947

Saturday, 6 a.m.: Sweatbar Fitness Last Trail Standing – Rise Up Hero, Pittsburgh. Run 100K, 25K, 15K, 10K or 5K on Settler’s Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/LastTrailStandingRiseUpHero

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Memorial Day Remembrance Run 5K, 10K and 1-Mile Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/MemorialDayRemembranceRun

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Westsylvania Weekend 5K, Indiana. Run or walk on Hoodlebug Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/WestsylvaniaWeekend5K?_gl=1*1ifbvae*_ga*MTU0NDMyNzQ0Mi4xNzYwMzk1NTQx*_ga_QKEVS8BTWC*czE3Nzg5NTk0NzkkbzExJGcwJHQxNzc4OTU5NDc5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..

May 30, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 10K and 5K Run/Walk, Sarver. Out and back on Butler-Freeport Trail starting at Monroe Road. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10K

May 31, 7:30 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge, Allison Park. Choice of 50K, 50K Relay, 5K, 20K or 10K on North Park trails beginning at the pool area. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallenge

June 4, 6:30 p.m.: 33rd Annual Gateway Track Mile, Monroeville. Run in heats at Gateway Middle School Track. 412-372-3212 or email don_tammy@msn.com

June 6, 7 a.m.: God’s Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Galeton. Traverse the Eastern Continental Divide on this point-to-point course. 814-558-5353 or email amy_eppley@yahoo.com

June 7, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5K, Pittsburgh. Hilly and scenic course on Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/GreenfieldGlide of

June 7, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5K, Portersville. Starts at McDanel’s Boat Launch in Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5K

June 7, 10 a.m.: Lace Up for the Library 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk Presented by the Patti Nelson Foundation, Evans City. Rolling course, post-race picnic. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalk

June 14, 9 a.m.: Big Foot Festival 5K Run and Walk, Marienville. Flat and fast course with possible Bigfoot sightings. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Marienville/ForestCountyBigfootFestival5k

June 14, 9 a.m.: Laurel Fest 5K and 1-Mile Walk, Brookville. Also 10-Mile Bike Race. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Brookville/LaurelFest5kHostedByPCK9SU

June 19-20: New River Gorge 5K, Half Marathon and 50K, Fayetteville, WV. Challenging trail run, part of New River Gorge Trail Festival. runsignup.com/Race/NewRiverGorgeHalfMarathon/Page/Race-Info-1

June 20, 8 a.m.: EV Ethnic Days 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk, East Vandergrift. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/EastVandergrift/EthnicDays5kRunAnd1mileFunWalk#event-1139073

June 20, 8 a.m.: 2016 Schoolyard Run and Walk 5K and 1-Mile, Mars. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Mars/SchoolyardRunWalk

June 20, 9 a.m.: Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5K, Worthington. Also Kids Bike Race at 11 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/ButchsBucketBrigade

June 27, 9 a.m.: 51st Butler County Road Race 5-Mile and 2K, Butler. Run the “longest continuously held road race in Western Pennsylvania.” runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlerRoadRace

June 28, 9 a.m.: Elk County Striders BZ Classic 5k, Ridgeway. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ridgway/BZClassic5K

Miles for Micah 5K, April 11: Brian Canny, 1st Overall M, 18:21; Jacob Montag, 2nd Overall M, 20:03; Paige Lind, 1st Overall W, 21:39; Jessica Titler, 2nd Overall W, 23:16; Evan Olszak, 21:22; Joseph Titler, 21:48; Mark Lamison, 23:14; Morgan Stull, 23:21; Logan Rumbaugh, 24:25; Megan Hartle, 25:14; Emma Hartle, 25:19; Sara Young, 25:30; Jeffrey Tompkins, 26:05; Emily Harmon, 26:19; Audra Werb, 26:19; Katie Jordan, 26:19; Jen Beachem, 27:06; Mollie Gallagher, 27:28; Abigail Benninger, 28:06; Mitchell Buzard, 28:20; Mandy James, 28:25; Michaella Roth, 28:36; Elias Reay, 28:36; Jessica Hamilton, 29:13; Alycia Brehm, 29:15; Amanda Hardt, 29:20; Matthew Olsen, 29:51; Courtney Uhl, 30:43, Rick Olszewski, 31:32; Matthew Yankello, 31:38; Kaylee Grieb, 31:48; Michelle Kitts, 31:51; Christopher Harmon, 32:23; Maddie Mueller, 32:44; Steven Bandi, 33:06; Ash McCrea, 33:26; Megan Hermes, 33:33, Anthony Sunseri, 34:29; Ashley Bandi, 35:22; Ginny Lamison, 35:43; Mark Simaan, 35:55; Chris Gerello, 36:01; Danielle Peffer, 36:10; Laura Benninger, 40:05; Candy Porch, 54:09; Justin O’donnell; Tifany O’donnell 54:19 Megan Gaus, 55:23; Henry Simaan, 55:26; Morgan McCollough. 55:35; Bethany Simaan, 55:35

Dyngus Day Dash 5K, April 11: Wil Bailey, 1st Overall M, 17:42; Keeley Misutka, 1st Overall W, 20:04; Emily Thorton, 30-39 W, 21:17; Andrew Li, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:38; Michael Botyrius, 1st 26:34; Jennifer Richnafsky, 2nd 40-49 W, 26:38; Raelynn Baron, 1st 50-59 W, 28:24; Jody Hinds, 1st 70+ W, 29:53; Mitch Radella, 3rd 60-69 M, 32:18; Samuel Becker, 2nd 10-14 M, 34:06; Beth Ann Skinner, 3rd 60-69 W, 38:50; Karen Demmler, 1st 70+ W, 48:24; Patricia Rich, 2nd 70+ W, 48:39; Mentchaas Anderon, 23:59; Alyssa Nicola, 25:33; Jenna Izydore, 25:33; Nicole Loutsenhizor, 27:32; Jeff Harding, 27:40; Tim Nicola, 28:17; Jackson Ellis, 28:34; Kevin Liberi, 30:01; Franklin Stokan, 30:19; Emily McMahon, 30:52; Aubrie Norris, 31:00; Eugene Thomas, 32:40; Brandon Henry, 32:41; Bob Starzynski, 33:22; Maria Palombo, 34:40; Brent Becker, 35:07; Regan Kramm, 35:11; Logan Wilson, 35:35; John Karpacs, 35:47; Erin Starzynski, 35:50; Megan Scwab, 35:55; Lee Baron, 36:51; Cathleen McGonigle, 37:37; Colleen McGonigle, 37:41; Zahory Lyman, 37:51; Phoebe Lyman, 37:53; Katie Raidna, 38:08; Jessica Becker, 38:21; Nicholas Bozich, 38:34; Jennifer Grooms, 38:58; Julia Ejzak, 42:04; Nicole Flaherty, 42:50; Kaitlin Dolak, 44:38; Dave Olyha Dolak, 44:51; Kathleen Dolak, 44:52; Jessica Henry, 46:03; Michael Moon, 46:33; Gina Famiglietti, 46:34; Angelina Woods, 48:10; Mike Thompson, 51:03; Albert Richnafsky, 51:09; Paul Fazio, 52:19

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, email lotzak@consolidated.net