For one day each year, people across the country drop what they’re doing and honor the special women that have touched their lives on Mother’s Day. For the rest of the year, there’s an organization on the SouthCoast that works to help empower women to achieve success and be positive role models for their children, among others.
The SouthCoast Women’s Fund will be holding their Sixth Annual Tiara Mother’s Day 5K and Fun Run on Sunday, May 13 beginning at 9:00 am. All proceeds raised will benefit the Women’s Fund.
“The Fund serves and helps to enhance economic development for women here in the South Coast,” said Liz Ackerman, a member of the Women’s Fund. “This race has steadily grown every year.”
In its inaugural year, the race drew in 300 participants, and the fund was thrilled. Last year, there were approximately 1,000 runners, both children and adults, and nearly $40,000 was raised.
The race came to fruition when a group of running enthusiasts in the Women’s Fund wanted to do a 5K closer to home instead of traveling to Plymouth to participate in one. Holding the race on Mother’s Day was the logical choice since all the proceeds will be benefitting women.
“I think the group of volunteers is symbolic of the growth of the Women’s Fund in the last few years,” Ackerman said. “Here is a group of strong active women getting together and getting things done. It shows the power of people working together to get things done and bring communities together.”
The Fund’s latest project is a multi-million dollar platform to raise money for a cooperative program that will help send women to Bristol Community College to further their education. The program aims to help provide women with both financial and mentor support systems during their enrollments.
“I think some of us take advantage of it,” said Ackerman. “It takes more than the want to go to college and obviously the resources aren’t there for everyone. For some of us who are lucky enough, if we can help spread some of that it’s great. It’s a plus for the entire area and it helps women to be productive members of society.”
The race will begin and end at the Oxford Creamery, and the route runs through the streets of Mattapoisett Village and along the water, providing a scenic view for all participants. Two races will be held: a Children’s Fun Run which begins at 9:00 am, followed by the 5K which will begin at 9:30 am. Race bibs can be picked up at the Oxford Creamery on Saturday, May 12 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm or on race day from 7:00 to 8:30 am.
Registration for adults is $20 and $5 for kids. All children will receive a medal and a t-shirt for participating. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in the 5K. The Mattapoisett Food Pantry will also be collecting canned food donations. A DJ will be on site for entertainment and will be joined by a face painter and several vendors.
For more information on the race or to register, log on to www.womensfundsema.org.
By Katy Fitzpatrick
