The 5th Annual Race for P.E.A.C.E. 5K/1 Mile Walk will take place on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 9am in Bare Cove Park. This event, organized by Ray and Erin Childs of Hingham, will benefit the Martin Richard Foundation.
Martin Richard was an 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013. The Richard family established the Foundation to honor Martin in 2014.
The Anchor spoke with Ray Childs to learn more about the event and the Martin Richard Foundation:
How did you initially get involved with the Martin Richard foundation?
Erin and I were spectators at the 2013 Boston Marathon, the year that Martin was killed as a result of the bombings. When I found out that the Richard family was establishing a foundation less than a year later to help others in Martin's name, I wanted to get involved. In January 2014, I applied to be a member of the inaugural marathon team (Team MR8) representing the Foundation in the 2014 Boston Marathon and was fortunate enough to be one of the people chosen. Over the past 5 years, the Foundation has grown and expanded its reach, and I am proud to play a small role in helping so many people. This year will be my 6th consecutive Boston Marathon as a member of Team MR8.
If you could pass along one message to the community about the mission of the Martin Richard Foundation, what would it be?
In addition to helping young people with physical and cognitive disabilities in the Boston area, the Foundation now supports many programs and communities across Massachusetts by making micro-grants to organizations with similar objectives, and through programs like the Martin Richard Bridge Builder Program.
Both of these initiatives have supported efforts within our community here in Hingham. The Martin Richard Foundation has made a series of micro-grants to support the good work being done by the Special Needs Athletic Partnership (SNAP), and funded a community service project by a first grade class at Foster School to support the Hingham Interfaith Food Pantry.
Do you involve your children in the fundraising and the race? Are there ways that other youth in the community can get involved?
Yes! Our children are very involved in our efforts both through the Race and by volunteering at the service days the Foundation organizes. We think it is important to get young people involved in the community and helping others at a very early age. We hope to encourage other youth to participate in the Race for P.E.A.C.E. by offering free registration for the 1 mile walk to children under 12. Through the Martin Richard Bridge Builder Program, young people can apply to receive a grant to fund a community service project. In addition, the Foundation offers many volunteer opportunities throughout the year. More info can be found at the Foundation's website www.martinrichardfoundation.com
How much money have you raised since starting to fundraise for the Martin Richard foundation and how much of that money comes from the Race for Peace? Do you have any overall fundraising goal for how much you would like to raise this year?
We have raised over $90,000 for the Foundation over the past few years with the majority of that coming from the Race for P.E.A.C.E. either through race registrations or donations to support the event. Our goal for this year is $20,000, so we are hoping for record turnout! For more information about the race and to register, please visit www.raceforpeace.racewire.com
Are there any volunteer opportunity or ways to get involved for non-runners?
The Race for P.E.A.C.E. is a 5K fun run and one mile walk. We are always looking for additional runners, walker and volunteers! If someone is interested in helping out at the race, they can contact us at racedirector@raceforpeace5k.com. The Martin Richard Foundation offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year. To learn more about those opportunities, please visit www.martinrichardfoundation.com.
**Online registration is closed, but you can still register from 8:00AM-8:45AM on Sunday, April 7 at Bare Cove Park.
