F.I.S.H. 10K is nonprofit’s chief benefit of the year, sponsors, runners, volunteers make it happen
There are enough foot races in southwest Florida to keep the Fort Myers Track Club busy on most weekends during season, but only one of those races is in Sanibel Island.
“That’s what makes this race special,” said Tom Murphy, timer for the club that designed the course in cooperation with the city of Sanibel. “There are not that many 10k races in the area, most are 5K, so the Sanibel race attracts many runners. Families tends to make a day of it, too.”
It’s true.
The 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H. on Oct. 18 draws about 500 runners for the early race that starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Sanibel Community House on Periwinkle Way. An awards event follows at about 9 a.m. Race proceeds provide much-needed food, emergency assistance and fund a dozen social programs to reach the island’s most needy residents and workers.
FISH in 2013 reached some 285 families, nearly 1,700 people in Sanibel and Captiva, distributing some 76,000 pounds of food. The agency also supplies hard goods, provides computer usage, links to job providers and counselors, any number of programs to keep struggling families above water.
The agency also dispensed some $166,000 in emergency and medical funding, $10,000 in scholarships, 1,600 school backpacks, delivered some 2,500 meals to homebound residents, loaned nearly 500 wheelchairs and other medical equipment, assisted 58 seniors with hurricane supplies.
And when supplies run dangerously low, FISH volunteers and staff turn to local merchants and residents for help. Some supplies are the back half of buy one/get one sales, food-store donations, supplies and canned goods turned over from rental properties, cash, United Way and Harry Chapin donations, just about any nook and cranny where food and supplies can be harvested.
The race provides a large chunk of the agency’s funding for the food and cash needed to help out, said John Pryor, FISH’s incoming board president.
It is why everyone from runners to sponsors participate. Some 70 island businesses sponsor the race, with others contributing cash, services, time and goods to the agency.
“This will be the fourth year Sanibel School’s National Junior Honor Society and Student Council has participated in the race,” said Diane Cortese, a Sanibel Middle School math teacher. “Students need to have a sense of community and contribute to this great island with all that it provides to the people.
“We select this charitable organization because it helps anyone, from babies to our seniors, through the F.I.S.H. Food Pantry, Blessings in a Backpack, visiting families or seniors, providing meals, and so many other social services,” said Cortese.
The Sundial Resort and Spa team of runners hopes to demonstrate a commitment to the community, too. It will be a first race for many who range from novice to intermediate runners. It will be their challenge to finish the race.
Tiffany Onischuk, resort administrative coordinator and part of Team Sundial, is grateful for the opportunity to run the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H.
“It is truly about neighbors helping neighbors,” she said. “Our team’s hope is to complete the race with utter gratification that we’ve helped numerous individuals get the support they deserve in our community.”
The closed-circuit course begins and ends at the Sanibel Community House on Periwinkle Way. There is a right turn within the first mile to Casa Ybel Road. It has a turn-around at Island Inn road with a mile-and-a-half left.
“That was the biggest challenge,” said Sanibel Fire Capt. Rob Popkin, who ran in 2013 for the first time. “It is the mental part of the race because its further than you think.”
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva is an organization built on volunteers who give thousands of hours each year from transporting clients to non-emergency medical appointments to working the desk at the F.I.S.H. Walk-In Center.
Volunteers also play a pivotal role in the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H. Moving into its sixth year, race day will have more than 70 volunteers along the course and a grand total of more than 110, as well as support from Sanibel police and fire departments.
“Our volunteers, who stand along the streets and driveways to aid runners, are mostly from a service organization, such as Lions, Rotary or Zonta,” Nori Ann Reed, 10K Race Volunteer Coordinator, said. “The Kiwanis Club also steps up with more volunteers than any other service organization.
“We get additional volunteers from the island churches and businesses, as well as many individuals who believe in and support the mission of F.I.S.H,” Reed said.
There are 10 Sundial Resort and Spa employees volunteering race day a way to support and celebrate all of the meaningful programs offered by F.I.S.H.
“Our staff recognizes and appreciates all that F.I.S.H. does for residents and visitors,” said Sundial General Manager Gray Campbell, who is running as part of Team Sundial. “We are eager to help by volunteering our time. Plus, it’s fun.”
A vast majority of volunteers are on the course, but those from John R. Woods man all three water stations, and the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club ensures safe parking. There are two “cone head crews” which put down and pick up traffic cones while numerous volunteers in the Community House direct runners, hand out T-shirts and goodie bags. Volunteers help award medals, too.
“The number of awards we present will total 86,” said Pryor, who handles the award presentations. There are eight major division individual winners, as well as 26 male and female divisions in which the top three in each division receive an award. Each runner who crosses the finish line receives a 10K Race medallion.
“The best part, of course, is celebrating the runners with the awards ceremony,” said Reed, who has been coordinating race-day volunteers for the past five years.
The race begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way. Pre-registration can be done at fishofsanibel.com.
While runners and volunteers are essential to the race, it is the broad-based support of more than 70 Sanibel-Captiva sponsors who also play a major role in making the day possible. The Sanibel-Captiva Trust Co. has been the Premier Sponsor of the 10K Race 4 F.I.S.H. since the beginning.
“We look forward each year to being the Premier Sponsor of the F.I.S.H. 10K run,” San-Cap Trust founder and co-chair Al Hanser said. “Neighbors helping neighbors is what F.I.S.H. is all about and we are proud to support their efforts to strengthen the fabric of our community.”