Photo by RR Best
Devoted St. Jude Runner training at 3 below zero.

•February 28, 2018•

The St. Jude Runners host the 4th annual St. Jude Dash and Bash June 2 in coordination with the Sullivan American Legion Post 68.

The event is hosted by local runners who plan to participate in the Mattoon to Peoria St. Jude run August 3-4.

“Over the past three years St. Jude Dash and Bash in Sullivan has raised $32,160 for St. Jude’s,” local coordinator Stephanie Helmuth said. “We hope to rock that number this year.”

“Our local communities have been impacted by St. Jude, and many of us personally know someone who is a St. Jude patient,” she continued. “Through contributions like the run, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on the most important thing-helping the child live.”

Daily operational cost of the hospital is $2,000,000 with individual and corporate sponsorships critical. The majority of St. Jude funding comes from local fund-raising events such as the Dash and Bash in Sullivan.

Helmuth emphasized the St. Jude Dash and Bash is a large event that requires lots of volunteers and sponsors. “We are seeking supporters to help us cut our expenses and pass the proceeds directly to St. Jude.”

Last year St. Jude Dash and Bash in Sullivan was able to donate 90 percent of the funds raised directly to St. Jude.

“We are looking for supporters large and small for both sponsorships and donations of items for the raffle,” Helmuth said, noting each sponsorship level is specially designed to give the most value for the donation made.

The St. Jude run began in 1982 with the mission to provide funds in support of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis and the St. Jude affiliate located in Peoria. Since inception the runs have raised an astounding $50.8 million dollars with 37 runs and 3,022 runners participating in 2017.