Superheroes unite for successful Virtual 5K

 The 10th-annual For Kids' Sake Superhero 5K: Virtual Edition ended Sunday, Oct. 4 with a bang.

Three-hundred registrants from 18 different states and five different countries all signed up to participate in this year's event. These registrants, plus 50 business sponsors and 66 dedicated fundraisers, helped raise $50,000.

"For Kids' Sake supporters' enthusiasm and generosity were off the charts this year, and there are some truly special superheroes among them," shared Shema Ruperto, For Kids' Sake director.

Over half of the event's income comes from individual fundraisers asking their friends and family to contribute. One fundraiser that stood out this year was Kendra Flood, an SIU alumna that started supporting For Kids' Sake as a student volunteer. Today, she is a graduate student at Pennsylvania State University, and this year's virtual Superhero 5K allowed her to participate from out of state. 

"COVID has changed a lot these past few months, but it hasn't changed the importance of fighting hunger," Flood said. :It also hasn't taken away my love for For Kids' Sake, an organization started in Carbondale."

All proceeds from the Superhero 5K benefit kids in Bangladesh. For more information or to make a contribution, visit forkidssake.net.