All fundraisers need a good volunteer base.
Many times the supportive public does not see the volunteers who work in the trenches. When a call came in to the New London High School for a volunteer wood working project, a handful of New London High School students, with the guidance of instructor Andy Fuhs, accepted the challenge.
The team built four wooden mud pits for the third annual Warrior Princess Mud Run (WPMR) at Mosquito Hill Nature Center. Fuhs saw this as a perfect opportunity for the students to gain community service hours, mandatory for a high school diploma.
“They came out to Mosquito Hill before school Friday and put them all together,” said WPMR Director Jan Lamers. “They were a huge help and Andy was a joy to work with.”
Although cold and windy weather did not lend itself to an event involving mud and water, more than 1,000 runners showed up to compete in the third annual Warrior Princess Mud Run (WPMR) at Mosquito Hill Nature Center, Saturday, Oct. 4.
A fundraiser to help support the Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter, this is a muddy, sloppy, chilly, hilly, dressy, messy good time. The WPMR is a non-competitive 5K run. Runners challenge themselves by overcoming unique obstacles that include a Disenchanted Tire Forest, the Muddy Moat Mayhem, and Cinderella Carriage Crawl. Many do this dressed in their evening best. Others wear themed costumes, bringing the warrior princess to life.
This year, between 1,150 and 2,000 supporters registered for the run. The first wave of 75 mud runners began their trek at 9 a.m. with waves released every 10 minutes. The final wave of the day headed out at 2:10 p.m.
WPMR Director Lamers is putting out an early plea for New London area citizens and organizations to consider volunteering for next year’s event, slated for early October.
“Our volunteer team works hard, but we know how to put on a party. Runners rave about our awesome and encouraging volunteers who cheer for everyone along the course,” Lamers said.
For more information on how you, your company or organization can get in on the fun go to warriorprincesmudrun.org, or contact a Volunteer Coordinator by calling 920-955-9113.
All monies collected for Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter goes directly to programs and supplies for the women and children who use Harbor House as a respite facility.