4th Annual Franklin Elks “Elks Care. Elks Share.” 5K May 7

For the fourth year, the Franklin Elks Lodge #2136 will be running their Elks Care. Elks Share 5K Road Race on Saturday, May 7, 2016. As of last year, this event, which draws 220 runners, 80 volunteers and hundreds of spectators, had raised over $50,000, and organizers hope to exceed that total this year. Proceeds from this year’s event supports the Franklin Food Pantry (www.franklinfoodpantry.org), a local wounded warrior Master Sgt. Joseph Deslauriers, and the Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org).
“The Franklin Elks would like to invite you and your family to help us kick off Mother’s Day weekend with our 4th annual 5K Road Race & Walk for charity,” says Steve Niland, Race Director. “This year as a special treat, we are having a post-race pancake breakfast and celebration with music, photo fun & more.” The pancake breakfast is free of charge for participants.
The Elks Care. Elks Share 5K will begin and end at the Franklin Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond Street, Franklin, MA 02038, on a mainly flat route. Same day registration will begin at 8 a.m., or participants can register in advance ($25 per individual, with team registration available) at www.franklinelks5k.com. Those who register by April 24 will receive a free t-shirt. Walkers and runners will be professionally timed by Racewire, with results posted online or available to be sent to smartphones. The top three male and female finishers in each age group will be given awards.
Platinum, gold and silver sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses who would like to support Massachusetts veterans and local families by donating to the cause. As of the writing of this article, sponsors included ORI Boston, Elks USA, “In Loving Memory of Mary Timcoe,” Auerr, Zajak & Associates, LLP, Franklin Elks Bingo, Joe Olivo, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Planet Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Ram.
Over 900 local residents are members of the Elks, which supports a number of causes. These include, in addition to the aforementioned causes, annual scholarships, Christmas baskets of gifts and food to needy residents, support for local scout, Soccer Shoots and Hoop Shoot youth programs, school related fundraisers, the Chad Dunbar annual fundraiser, which raises over $15,000 a year for brain tumor research, and Oil for Vets program, care packages for troops, semi-annual trips to VA hospitals and VA breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as local pet clinics for the Bay Path Humane Society.
“The Elks Care Elks Share campaign grows in meaning every year, and we want to show our appreciation to the community and our local veterans,” says Niland. “It is not just a race, but a great family event to support some wonderful causes. Run for a reason!”
For more information on the Franklin Elks “Elks Care. Elks Share” 5K, contact Steve Niland: steveniland@msn.com.
Established in July 1959, the Franklin Lodge of Elks, #2136 of The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the United States of America is part of an organization founded in the late 1800s on on the cardinal principles of charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. The Franklin Elks is one of over 2,200 lodges throughout the U.S., with over 1.4 million members nationally. For more information on the Franklin Elks, visit www.franklinelks.org.