Hundreds of participants will make the trip to Onondaga Community College this Friday night for the annual Freeze Out 5K, a glow-in-the-dark run that raises money to support people experiencing homelessness and other issues.

Since its creation in 2014, the event has reiterated the main goal of the Rescue Mission Alliance, an organization dedicated to fighting homelessness and hunger in central New York. The race emphasizes the importance of giving back not only in the Syracuse area but also in Binghamton, which will hold a similar event on Feb. 28.

Individuals can either participate and donate independently or create teams with family and friends in an effort to raise more money.

The event, which will feature live music, food and beverages post-run, is an opportunity for people to interact with their community, said Tori Shires, the chief development officer of the Rescue Mission Alliance. It’s an extension of the Rescue Mission itself, as it not only helps the disadvantaged deal with the present moment, but it also helps them prepare for the future and provides a foundation for eventual independence, she said.

Shires said it’s especially important for the organization to encourage the community to take part in the fight against homelessness.

“When it comes to this, no event is too small. Sometimes a small event means a warm clothing drive at a school or place of business,” she said. “Sometimes that means coming together at a happy hour to network. And several times a year we put on much larger events, like the Freeze Out 5K.”

Funds raised go to the local branch of Rescue Mission, which helps struggling community members find housing and overcome other barriers, whether it’s a health issue, unemployment or an addiction.

The organization’s hope is that attendees will be more inclined to get involved and help combat homelessness once they experience some of these things, said Gina Rapasadi, the Rescue Mission’s director of special events.

This year, the organization is trying new ways to get people to raise more money, she said, pointing out that, for the first time, the organization is rewarding those who raise more than $750 with a Columbia Ascender Softshell Jacket.

Rapasadi said it’s important for participants to think about the people who live in the cold as they are participating because, at the end of the day, this is about providing for people who are struggling.

In order for this event to be as effective as possible, people must realize the importance of philanthropy, said Monica Everdyke, the captain of Runnin’ 4 a Reason, the team with the largest donation.

“To me, philanthropy isn’t just about monetary support provided to someone or something; it’s about bringing awareness to something as well,” she said. “So, bringing awareness that homelessness, for example, exists, and helping is the important part.”

The problem is that some people don’t know how to help, or don’t have the money to donate, Everdyke said, but there are other ways to provide support. Volunteering time to help Rescue Mission is one way, she said, but supporting the homeless community can be as simple as smiling at a homeless person on the street.

“Homelessness is something that can affect anyone at any time,” Everdyke said. “It’s not just the people we may see on street corners. It could even be somebody you work with every day and you just don’t realize it, and I feel it’s important to help and give where we can and however we can.”

Published on February 19, 2020 at 11:45 pm

gfpagano@syr.edu