PHC hosts 5K to benefit Tree of Life

Tree of Life Ministries (ToL), a local nonprofit, partnered with PHC to hold a fundraiser 5K this month. Their goal was to raise money for their shelter branch, which offers affordable housing to struggling families, single women, and people with special needs. 

"It was such a blessing to be part of the day and see our community come together in support of Tree of Life's Shelter Branch," said Shayda Windle, ToL's Head of Community Relations.

Planning for the race began when Brian Ducharme, owner of the electrical repair company Unity Power, proposed that his company sponsor a 5K to help ToL.

Ducharme and his company strongly supported the Shiloh dorm building project last spring, and he thought PHC would be the perfect place to hold the race. Because PHC's land is private, ToL could avoid the many complications to running on public property, such as getting permits or involving police. Ducharme reached out to Janet Low, Scott Bedrosian, and the PHC Running Club to help organize the event.

Around 100 people turned out to run or walk the 5K. A representative of ToL's coffee shop, SimplyBe, showed up with hot coffee for all the racegoers, and BKD Bagels donated bagels. "It was nice to see kids involved [in their first] race and a handful of 'seniors' (like me). I was also glad to see some of our students out," said Scott Bedrosian, PHC's Senior Advancement Officer.

PHC students and families took several of the top places in each division. Serafina Jackson, daughter of biology professor Dr. Mike Jackson, won the women's 13-and-under category. Her younger brother, Elijah, won the men's 13-and-under category. Sophomore Caleb Helsing won second place in the men's division, and freshman Owen Purdy took third.

Both ToL and PHC hope to make the 5K an annual event. "I hope to see the community engagement grow over time," Bedrosian said. 

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Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America