Santa and his sleigh led the Hometown Happenings' Santa Walk & Run on Saturday morning for another year of charitable fun. With roughly 500 participants clad in holiday attire, the event offered the community a place to celebrate the holidays while donating to their favorite charities.
The 5K run and walk was a non-timed race. Individuals in costume were eligible for the $50 cash prize awarded after the race. The people of downtown Crown Point were graced with the presence of Santa Clauses, reindeer, elves, and even a Scrooge.
“You feel a bit silly at first when you are running down Main Street in a costume. Once people in cars start waving, honking, and smiling, it becomes fun. People often get caught up in the busyness of the holidays.
"If you can brighten someone’s day and give them a little Christmas cheer and perhaps a fun memory, that makes it worth it,” said Timothy Fealy, President of Hometown Happenings.
Not only has the race always been a blast to participate in, but it is also philanthropic. The Santa Run tradition started in 1982, when Crown Point resident Dan Swift ran through the downtown donned in a Santa Claus costume. In the 90’s, Fealy joined. Loving the tradition he had become a part of, Fealy decided to host the run for the public. The first public run had over 50 people and raised money for the Lake County Animal shelter. The run continued to grow, with this year’s 500 participants making it the most successful it has ever been.
“This event brings together runners all over Northwest Indiana who are not only doing something fun for themselves, but also benefittng so many causes throughout the region,” said host Michael Essany.
In the past, participants voted on which charity they wanted to receive the proceeds. The top three charities would receive donations. However, the same three charities ended up receiving donations every year and Hometown Happenings wanted to get more charities involved. Any charity that receives 20 votes will share in the proceeds. St. Mary Catholic Community School, Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana, Humane Society Calumet Area, Mommy’s Haven Maternity Home, and Halos & Hooves already met the their goal.
Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana is an after-school program for girls in third-through-eighth grades. Their mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident by creatively integrating running into their curriculum.
“We are very appreciative of Tim and Hometown Happenings. They are a big supporter of Girls on the Run,” said Jill Schlueter-Kim, Executive Director of the organization.
Runners and their families were also able to enjoy photos with Santa Claus, a photobooth, and food provided by Carriage Court pizza, Chick-Fil-A, and La Quesadilla Mexican Grill. Kauffmam Chiropractic, Crown Point Cal Ripken Baseball, Fleet Feet Sports, Farmers Insurance, Zounds Hearing Aids, Girls on the Run, Button What, and MWM Coaching & Training each had booths.
Malissa Mosak, who has been participating in the races ever since they started, said “I love that everybody is out having fun dressing up. This race is doing great things for the community. One of the biggest reasons I do it is the charity donations.”
To top off an already amazing event, a Hometown Helper was honored after the race. Four-year-old Carson Jacobs, who rode in Santa’s sleigh for the duration of the race, was being recognized for something amazing he had done back in October. Carson gave away all his Halloween candy to kids who did not get any.
“I was so sad that the other kids didn’t get any candy,” said Carson.
Carson was honored with candy, gifts, and an invitation to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Gary Railcats game.
“This was beyond gracious and I feel overwhelming love for my son right now,” said Carson’s mother Kari Pruim. “I try to teach my son to be selfless. Christ gave everything for us and we are supposed to love others unconditionally and so I tell him to love people like how Jesus loved him.”
Queen Elsa and Anna from the popular movie Frozen also made a surprise appearance at the race. Hometown Happenings was later sending the pair to the St. Jude House Family Violence Prevention Center and Shelter.
Ebyaniat Sarnas, who was dressed up as Elsa, said, “It’s really important to go see the kids because a lot of times they don’t get the same kind of Christmas other kids get. It’s even more important to just go and say hi and let them know that people do care about them and want them to have a good Christmas.”
As the morning came to a close, everyone involved was able to leave with a smile, knowing they had helped out a great cause while enjoying the Christmas cheer.