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Chester County Press

Kennett Run Charities, Inc. thanks longtime sponsors

05/07/2019 01:21PM ● By Richard Gaw

By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

On the eve of the 30th annual Kennett Run on May 11, Kennett Charities, Inc., recognized several businesses for their long-time contribution to the race that has raised more than $1 million for local charitable organizations since it began in 1989.

Kennett Run Charities President B. Christopher Daney provided an update of the progress the organization made as a result of last year’s race, which saw more than 600 runners brave persistent rain.

“We raised more than $109,000 from sponsorships, corporate contributions and race runner fees,” Daney said. “We gave $66,000 back to non-profits in the community, about $20,000 more than we gave back in 2017.”

Daney said that Kennett Charities, Inc., also contributed an $18,000 grant that went toward trail improvements in Anson B. Nixon Park that included landscaping, asphalt paving and the elimination of erosion and drainage problems, “that improve the quality of the grounds for everyone to use, year round, and we could not do this without the support of our sponsors,” he said.

Race Director JJ Simon handed out several plaques that recognized businesses who have been longtime sponsors of the Kennett Run, which included 20-year sponsors Phillips Mushroom Farms, L.P. and Tri-M. Those businesses receiving 10-year recognition were Chatham Financial; Kendal-Crosslands; Penn Medicine/Family Medicine; the law firm of Perna and Abracht, LLC; and Sinton Air Conditioning and Heating.

Simon also said that the Kennett Run is providing 43 free registrations to this year’s race to the following organizations: The Kennett Consolidated School District’s Win in Knowledge and After the Bell programs; La Communidad Hispana and the Garage Community & Youth Center.

“Small towns do not have races that last 30 years very often,” Simon told the sponsors. “Boston, New York and London can have races that last hundreds of years, but Kennett Square has had the same race and the same name for the same reason for three decades.

“This is a race where you have a woman runner who ran the race when she was a kid with her own mother, and who now has a kid of her own who is also running the race,” he added. “The Kennett Run has become a third-generation race, and we’re going to make it a fourth- and fifth-generation race.”

Camp Dreamcatcher Founder Patty Hillkirk and Filomena Elliott, the Adult Literacy Director for the Kennett Library, spoke in praise of the contributions Kennett Run Charities, Inc. has made to their two entities.

“The day before camp last year, I had trouble opening the garage door, and when we finally got it open there was three feet of water, and we lost $9,000 worth of supplies,” Hillkirk said. “I really appreciated the grant we received from Kennett Charities to help us replenish those supplies.”

“Your generous contribution helps me to buy GED books, workbooks for ESL students learning to use English and American citizen preparation materials,” Elliott said. “It’s very important for people to communicate and use these materials throughout our community.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].