Community tradition expands in ninth year
Motorcycles,
leather vests and nuns can only mean one thing – the annual Run with the
Nuns event hosted by CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier is gearing up
for another ride.
The
two-day motorcycle rally will be held Oct. 16-17 in the Red River
District in downtown Shreveport and as always, will benefit children’s
health and wellness programs in the community including Cara Center,
NICU and school-based health centers. This will be the ninth year for
the Run with the Nuns event, continuing the tradition of a family
friendly atmosphere filled with activities, food, family and fun.
Whether a first-time patron or a devoted attendee, this year’s event
will have something to offer for all to come.
“[This
year will offer] a wonderful family event with something for everyone,”
Amy Heron, executive director of the CHRISTUS Foundation
Shreveport-Bossier, said. “[There will be] a motorcycle ride, 5K and 10K
runs, 25- and 45-mile bicycle tours, and silent and live auctions. All
participants will be blessed before their event starts. Runner and
cyclist festivities start early at 7:30 a.m., and the biker events start
at 9 a.m. All participants are invited to join us for breakfast and
lunch in the Red River District. The $35 entry fee includes both meals
and the always popular RWTN T-shirt, [which] this year will be a
performance
shirt. The Red River District will be hopping with vendors,
participants, volunteers and lots of fun; come out and join us to help
local kids! “There’s always a lead nun rider, and this year it’s Sr.
Laurine Murtagh, SFCC,” Heron said. “She was born in Ireland and spent
30-plus years teaching every level from kindergarten to college and
currently teaches junior high religious education. Sister Laurine also
fosters elderly pets from a Texas animal shelter. At 9 a.m., Sister will
be presented with her own leather biker vest, and then she will lead
the bikers out for their ride through Caddo Parish.”
Always
part of the event is the silent auction, which is currently active and
available for bids online. Heron said in the mix are amazing creations
of local artisan, Laurie Jarecki. Her creations are one-ofa-kind,
hand-painted furniture and crafts that are not to be missed. Also
included in the auction are religious artifacts and other amazing finds.
Go to www.32auctions.com/ rwtn2015.
New
to this year’s event will be additional physical activities. Heron said
they are adding running and bicycle options including a 5K, 10K and
bicycle tours.
The
goal for this year is as always to raise funds and awareness for
programs that impact the health and wellness of the babies, children and
teens of the community, Heron said, and all funds stay in Shreveport- Bossier City to serve children and families.
Heron
said Run with the Nuns has been success in past years, growing in size
and popularity with each passing year and providing funds for some of
the most meaningful programs in the community.
“We
are so grateful to the community for their support of our children’s
programs,” Heron said. “It’s all about children and their well-being and
safety. We have grown from an event of 300 participants and an ice
chest of sausage biscuits to a full-blown festival in downtown
Shreveport with IHOP breakfast on site. Our best successes, though, are
the dollars that we are able to provide local agencies so that they can
continue their critical services in keeping children healthy and safe.
We purchase medical equipment, health services and programs that keep
children healthy and safe.”
Hernon said proceeds have funded: a new hearing screening
equipment for newborn babies ($22,000); Project 5210 childhood obesity
program ($10,000); asthma teaching doll for Caddo Parish Schools
($1,700); Back-to-School Healthy Checkup Event provides annual health
fair and school supplies to 1,500 children ($15,000).
–Katie Ho
Want to go?
To register for Run with the Nuns IX or for more information on the event or auctions, call 681-6100 or go to www.runwiththenuns.com.
