Vineyard Church of Lynbrook, Rockville Centre to hold first annual fundraiser for Island Harvest

The Vineyard Church is hosting a 5K Race for Hunger on Sept. 9 at Greis Park to raise funds for Island Harvest, an organization that helps stock the church’s food pantry. If the event goes smoothly, Marina Carter, an administrative assistant at the church, hopes that they can host it again in 2018.

“If it goes well, it will be the first [annual],” Carter said.

She said that church officials came up with the idea because new pastor Ray Longwood ran the New York City Marathon last year and wanted to do more outreach and community events. She also said that the church officials did not want to have their annual autumn celebration the weekend before 9/11, so they decided to raise money for Island Harvest, which helps the church feed about 130 families each week. The church has two locations, 180 Denton Ave. in Lynbrook and 251 Merrick Road in Rockville Centre.

All of the proceeds from the registration fees will go to the organization. The cost to register is $25 in advance for an adult and $30 at the event. Children under the age of 12 cost $5 to register for a ‘Fun Run’ that will start at 9 a.m. “It’s a way to teach children to get involved and do something for the community,” Carter said.

The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the fastest three racers in each age group (12 to 18, 18 to 20, 20 to 30, etc.) will receive medals. The times will be monitored with a wearable microchip. At that point, the children will also be participating in crafts to keep them busy, according to Carter.

Those who would like to participate can register in advance at www.elitefeats.redpodium.com.