If fun, fitness and philanthropy are on your list of resolutions for 2024, you can check all three boxes at the Ringing In Hope: Pig Out Race at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1 at St. Philip’s Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
The family-friendly event will promote awareness and provide opportunities for financial support for five charities: Bag It, Ben’s Bells, Boulder Crest Foundation, Community Options, and Gospel Rescue Mission.
“This is all about ringing in hope for charities and trying to provide hope for people,” said Diane Brown, Race Director and owner of Ringing in Hope, which produces races in Tucson and Virginia.
After moving to Tucson 10 years ago, Brown discovered a huge need for community support.
“It was a big shock to me. There is lots of homelessness and such a need for help in the community. For the inaugural Pig Out Run, we chose charities that we feel are reputable. We also want to support different disciplines: Lots of people have hearts for different causes. Some people want to support cancer patients, since that affects everyone in some way, and others care about homeless, while others want to help veterans. We try to choose charities that appeal to a range of interests,” said Brown.
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Participants can choose to raise funds or donate to one (or more) of the five charities, and the event also provides a valuable platform for awareness for the nonprofits, according to Brown.
“Boulder Crest Foundation (https://bouldercrest.org/about-boulder-crest/locations/boulder-crest-arizona/) is doing important work providing Posttraumatic Growth for veterans and first responders. People may not know that it is one of the top-rated charities in the country,” Brown said.
She is also happy to help promote Community Options (https://www.comop.org/about-us/our-offices/arizona/tucson-office/), which assists with housing and employment for those with disabilities.
Bag It (https://bagitcancer.org/) supports newly-diagnosed cancer patients; Ben’s Bells (https://bensbells.org/) teaches individuals and communities about the positive impact of intentional kindness; and Gospel Rescue Mission (https://grmtucson.com/) seeks permanent solutions to homelessness.
Ultimately, the Pig Out Run also promotes fun and fitness for families.
Brown said that people are encouraged to dress in costume and bring the whole family.
“Everyone has pigged out during the holidays, and this is a great time for all ages and all abilities to get out and run or walk. You don’t have to run. Lots of people walk it, including cancer patients and those supporting Bag It. They just enjoy being out and supporting the community,” she said.
