Call to Serve takes Message to the Pavement
A local non-profit group hopes runners from the Norwin region will “Run for a Reason” at the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 19.
For the second year, the Call to Serve, a nonprofit, service-based organization, is being recognized as one of the Pittsburgh Marathon’s charity teams, along with several larger charities, such as the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the American Cancer Society, as part of the “Run for a Reason” program.
“We’re being represented with some really reputable nonprofits, nationwide, and it’s a great honor,” Adam Kunes, Call to Serve co-founder and president, said. “To go from two guys with an idea to being partnered up and recognized on this level is a big deal for us, and we’re really excited for the opportunity.
“We’ve come a long way.”
Kunes, along Andrew Blythe, who are both North Huntingdon residents, founded The Call to Serve in 2009. The organization takes college-aged students on trips in a recreational vehicle around the country to help those in need.
During last year’s marathon, The Call to Serve raised $5,000 in donations and sponsorships with a team of 30 runners.
So far, about 25 runners have taken up The Call to Serve’s cause, helping the organization raise about $2,000, Kunes said. The organization’s goal is to raise $15,000 through the marathon.
The Pittsburgh Marathon, which is also a non-profit organization, offers charities the “Run for a Reason” program, said spokeswoman Karen Fredette. About 40 charities participate in the program.
Last year, “Run for a Reason” generated $750,000 for its charities, which was a 300 percent increase from the $250,000 raised during the 2009 race.
During the 2011 marathon, organizers hope to raise $1 million for its charities, Fredette said.
“This is our way of giving back to the community,” she said. “We want to encourage people to run to help these organizations out.”
The 26.2-mile marathon starts on Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh and ends on the North Shore. It also offers a 13.1-mile half-marathon course.
Marathon organizers expect about 18,000 runners this year.
Last year’s marathon also marked the first time Kunes ran a long-distance race.
“I’d never run more than four or five miles in my life before last year’s marathon,” he said. “I finished it, and I’m going to try to run it again this year, but this time I actually trained for it.”
Kunes said he hopes The Call to Serve’s team will gain a lot of runners from the Norwin region, turning it into a community fundraiser for the organization.
Before the marathon, The Call to Serve is sending out a fleet of a dozen volunteers in a recreational vehicle to Myrtle Beach, S.C., from March 20 to 26, for a week of service projects.
The volunteers have projects planned with Habitat for Humanity and Kennel Comforters, which provides animal shelters with homemade animal beds.
The Call to Serve made presentations at three schools — West Virginia University, Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., and Allegheny College in Meadville.
After screening a documentary about their organization, Kunes said several students approached him about joining The Call to Serve.
“It’s been an overwhelming response, because students just want to do something to help people for a week, and have a good time while doing it,” Kunes said. “That’s what we wanted to do and are doing, helping people while having fun.”
how to help
Pittsburgh Marathon runners can run to help The Call to Serve, a nonprofit, service-based organization founded by Adam Kunes and Andrew Blythe of North Huntingdon.
To join the Call to Serve’s charity team, register for the Pittsburgh Marathon online at www.pittsburghmarathon.com.
After registering for the event, visit www.active.com/donate/thecalltoserve, and click on “Individuals: Click Here to build your personal fundraising page,” located on the right side of the website.
Donations can be made to the Call to Serve’s marathon team by visiting www.active.com/donate/thecalltoserve.
Courtesy of Rewind Memories
