5K4Kids

Despite threats of thunderstorms and hail, the 5K 4Kids by Nike on Friday, April 23 had a great turnout. Mother Nature held off on delivering the bad stuff until the race and walk were over. The Bert Ferguson Community Center grounds buzzed with excitement as people danced to music by Kevin and Bethany Paige and enjoyed delicious pizza from Memphis Pizza Café. Known to many runners simply as “the Nike run”, the 5K 4Kids by Nike delivers more than most 5K events and promises to keep bringing more supporters year after year. Once again, the quality reusable Nike backpack goodie bags were a hit!

It was all made possible by a hardworking team of volunteers, including our planning committee led by Susan Lawless-Glassman and Marilyn Paavola, logistics leadership from Jim Prentiss, Jr., support from our sponsors and donors, and, of course, the runners and walkers.

Sponsorship

In addition to the generous title sponsorship by Nike, the Child Advocacy Center obtained other major financial sponsors. This year we raised $27,798 in major sponsorships (over $10,000 more than last year). Cash sponsors were:

Memphis Presenting Sponsor $10,000: Nike
The Glassman Family (Gold)
River Oaks Investment, Corp. (Gold)
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital (Gold)
The Prentiss Foundation (Gold)
Le Bonheur East Surgery Center (Silver)
Becky Clark, PhD (Special Category – Marathon Runner)

5K 4K Friends are small businesses, individuals, and families that support the event through a gift of $500 or more. This year, we raised $2,500 through 5K 4K Friends. 5K 4K Friends include:

Dr. Jim and Marilyn Paavola
Dr. Susan Murmann
Crye Leike Realtors

In-kind Sponsors were:

Media Sponsors KIM 98.9 FM & Soul Classics 103.5
Nike (backpacks)
Memphis Pizza Café
SYSCO Memphis
City of Memphis
Memphis Runners Track Club

We also were supported by many other in-kind supporters that donated everything from soda, water, and beer to face painting and emcee services. Prizes for top winners and the drawing were donated by Playhouse on the Square, Holliday Flowers, Memphis Redbirds, Brooklyn Bridge Italian Restaurant and Fleet Feet.

Teams

Teams were added to the mix this year, an effort toward further increasing the fundraising revenue of the 5K 4Kids by Nike. We expect team participation to grow every year. Teams this year were:

Clayton’s Racers (the winners of the Team Prize)
The Cinnabuns (the winners of the Team Spirit award)
Team Beachbody Memphis
Team 26.2 The Road to Here
First Baptist Church
Connect Four
Cool Runnings
Shady Grove Track Club
Greeks United
Shed for the Wed
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Hot Steppers

Media Sponsorship

This year we increased our radio on-air presence significantly through our new partnership with Citadel Radio Group. Citadel provided a minimum of 80 5K 4Kids by Nike radio spots on KIM 98.9 FM & Soul Classics 103.5. Henry Nelson, from Soul Classics, volunteered as emcee for the evening’s program.

Revenue and Expenses

Preliminary reports indicate that the total revenue for the event with sponsorships, registrations, and other gifts is $37,793 to date. Expenses are $6,910 to date, leaving a net income of $30,882. Overhead was 18%.

Of course, the biggest winners are the kids served by the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. We couldn’t have done it without Nike’s ongoing support and the support of all our sponsors, 5K 4Kid Friends, in-kind donors, volunteers, and participants. Thanks for your support!