Liz Logelin Foundation 5k - 2011 Walk, Run, Hope.

For the last four Septembers, a group of friends and strangers and stranger friends have come together in the Twin Cities to Run, Walk, Hope for what has now become The Liz Logelin Foundation.

This foundation has come a long way since that first year -

And while I wasn't involved this year on the events committee as I have been in the past, we still went out as a family to support a cause that we so very much believe in.
It was so great to see so many amazing friends, and stranger friends...out there raising money and giving hope.

Friends from Coast to Coast, literally, New York to California...and lots of places in between.

And this year, some very special 5k guests...

None other than the Hubs & his Buddy Cook...
(next year will we see more Longshots representing???)

Having just gotten into running...these guys did amazing...just past the 30 minute mark!
(official time to come soon...)

GREAT JOB YOU GUYS!

Jeff & Rob - after completing their first official 5k

I should also mention that I had handicapped the hubs from the very get go.

I wasn't heavily involved this year and not volunteering like in years past, because I have a lot on my plate & I thought it would make things easier for my life.

HA! Turns out, I had to literally push the hubs out of a moving vehicle, where he then had to sprint a half a mile just to get to the check in/starting line in order to make it, (with about 37 seconds to spare) before the start of the race...

I then had to find a place to park and get the rest of us there as well.

Aye Aye Aye.

This meant that me & my Sister in Law, who so graciously came to support the foundation from otu of town (AND babysit for us as well...) didn't even get to walk in the 5k.

GRRRRRR.

So...I shed a few tears and collected myself...

Just in time because the kids decided they were going to run the 1 mile fun run...

And oh what fun they did have!

this little man joined in about a minute late...but still continued to run the whole thing...he did amazing!

He was so happy, and proud.

He was SURE he was in first place...because no one passed him, but he passed lots of kids...

I really have no clue how he fared, but we told him he took 2nd place...because Matt didn't call his name for winning 1st when the awards were handed out.

(He stood there so patiently waiting for Matt to call him out...he was just sure he won this gig. Poor kid was a bit deflated...but my word he's only 4. And he ran an entire mile...and had fun doing it...and could have kept going another mile if we'd of let him!)

He's been reassuring himself all weekend long that 2nd place is 'pretty good' - and is telling everyone that will listen.

(Much like his father, he hates to lose!)

Not to be outdone by her younger brother...

A certain someone also ran the entire mile...

Yes, in PJ's and flip flops.

The entire mile.

She actually took off first, before her brother...

Who knew she wanted to run the whole mile!

Great job kiddo! You were just as amazing as your brother was!

IN FLIP FLOPS!

It was awesome to have my entire family there this weekend, as well as some of our dear dear friends...all coming together to raise money & support a cause that means so very very much to a lot of people.

So, who's in for next year?

If I start planning now, maybe I'll make it on time!

Liz Logelin Foundation 5k - Walk Run Hope

Ah, September in Minnesota -

Can you think of a more beautiful location than Minnehaha Falls?

Not many - that's for sure -

What a gorgeous setting for this year's Liz Logelin Foundation 5k!

It was hard to find my place at this year's 5k - With things being wonky on the home front, super busy on the work front & multiple things happening at once...I wasn't sure what to do...Where to go...

Last year I was more than happy to volunteer wherever needed...but this year - this year I wanted to run the race & see how I could hold up...

Well, with a jam packed calendar I wasn't able to make that happen this year - although after watching the 5k and seeing so many young kids run the thing themselves...I have visions of us doing that too in the not-so-distant future!!

Instead - I hung around & took it all in as a spectator while the kids kept busy with some of the awesome activities at the 5k ~

I'll be honest - watching people get ready for the race - I was feeling a little bit jealous that I wasn't among them...

My friends & neighbors came out to participate in their first official 5k...

And they were off!

I had several friends running in this race...and I was thrilled to be able to cheer them on!

Missy did awesome! Coming in at 38:03!

And Lisa came in right behind her! At 38:17

And do you remember Liz? Many moons ago she set a goal for herself to accomplish a mile? Well, guess what...She did a mile...and then she did two...and then she did the final 3rd mile. In under an hour...

Great job Liz!

The real rockstar of this race? Tammy! I tell ya what! I was standing around thinking to myself - I'd better get my camera - they are going to start finishing soon - and what do you know?

This woman was DONE...and drinking water already!

Yep...her first ever 5k...and she finished in 32:33~AMAZING!

It was so fun to have so many friends out at Minnehaha Park supporting each other and the Liz Logelin Foundation...

Preliminary reports show that the 5k raised around $8000!

I am continually amazed at where this blogging community has taken me...

Continually grateful.

Together - we really CAN make a difference!

The Liz Logelin Foundation - Making a Difference

In just under two weeks, The Liz Logelin Foundation will be holding their biggest fundraisers of the year...

On September 17th, 2010 -


Beginning at 6:30 pm - Downtown Minneapolis at Solera Restaurant...

Come on out & join us for an evening of food & drinks, and live music by non other than TIM MAHONEY! And...the best part...you will have the opportunity to place bids on live & silent auction items with ALL PROCEEDS going directly to the Liz Logelin Foundation! There are some pretty great items available for bid too!

$500 Delta gift certificates, Photography packages by local photographers like Kalynn Kay Photograpy and Michelle Tanner Photography, awesome items by the one and only GUSSY SEWS!
Restaurant gift cards from favorites such as Buffalo Tap Restaurant ~ Joe Sensor's Bar & Grill ~ Lion's Tap ~ Axel's Bonfire and so many more!
There's a beautiful gift basket from One Hope Wine -

Of course I put together a nice little gift basket of must haves from Tastefully Simple -

Water Park Passes to a fun little get away in Baxter, Minnesota -

There are tickets to local sports games, an autographed photo from one of the Minnesota Wild players, golf outings, gift baskets, gift certificates and so many more awesome things to list...too many to list here...

You can just show up that evening and join us...but if you purchase your tickets ahead of time - you'll save a few bucks - a few bucks you can put towards bidding on one of those awesome things up for auction!


And the next day, a 5k ~



The 5k is slated to begin at 6 pm -
Look for Flings Bins to be out at the park during the 5k...I am so very excited to be able to offer our 5k patrons the opportunity to recycle their cans & water bottles!
There are so many others making this event possible - check out the list here!

This year's 5k will be a family friendly event - so if you don't feel like running (or jogging) a 5k - come out on out and take a leisurely walk with your family and support a good cause! Or maybe just walk as far as one of the fun tables that will be awaiting you - fun pages to color, bean bags to toss, ice cream to eat! Think *get together in one of the prettiest parks in the Metro!*

You'll join us won't you?

I hope so...together - we really can make a difference!

Save the Date

The Weekend Celebration of the Year dates have been set...
you've all marked your calendars right???



September 17th & 18th, 2010
The annual fundraisers for the Liz Logelin Foundation -

Currently, most fundraising comes from the 7th on the 7th campaign. While that is hugely successful, the fact of the matter is - without more help - we cannot help all of the families who seek assistance. Last year, in it's first year of inception, the Liz Logelin Foundation was able to give grants to 35 families in need.
Wouldn't it be nice to offer some sort of help to every family who applies?
Every. Dollar. Counts.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Friday night - September 17th, 2010



Celebration of Hope benefiting the Liz Logelin Foundation - Taking place downtown Minneapolis at Solera Restaurant - with the live music of Tim Mahoney!! this is shaping up to be a GREAT night!
(Tickets will be on sale soon and you do NOT want to miss out on this!)

then...on

Saturday, September 18th, 2010


The 5k you've ALL been training for...(you have right?) Well, I know a lot of you have!
6 pm evening run/walk at Minnehaha Park
Again - a can't miss event!
We had hundreds of walkers/runners last year...what a FUN event! This year will be bigger and better than ever!

So...other than mark your calendars...What can you do?

Well, what about making a donation for the silent auction? We are currently seeking new items that we can use to auction off either via live or silent auction or via internet auction. It's a great chance to donate to a worthy cause while showing off your business with a gift or gift certificate in the silent auction!
Maybe you don't have a business where you can give away a gift card or two - but have you received a gift card as a gift that you don't plan on using? Regift it here! We will use it for one of our auctions! Maybe you are an awesomely crafty person and you can knit the world's most adorable baby hats/booties/blankets...

What about sponsoring the 5k? Do you or someone you know have a business that would benefit from the exposure of hundreds of 5k participants? A vast majority of them bloggers? Behold - the power of the internet - getting in front of that many bloggers is simply priceless!

For more information - click here....
but what it boils down to is this...5 different sponsorship levels ranging from $125 up to $1500. Want to promote your business and help out the Liz Logelin Foundation in the process?
Just $125 gets your name on the official 5k t-shirts! $250 gets your logo on the shirt!

So...whaddya say?
Questions? Leave me a comment or drop me an email
darciegust (at) yahoo (dot) com

Now...GO MARK YOUR CALENDARS!