Photo by Richard L. Gaw         Representatives from 14 area non-profit organizations received financial contributions from Kennett Run Charities, Inc. at an event held on Oct. 27 at Café American in Kennett Square.

By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

On the morning of each of the 32 times the Kennett Run has been held, leaders of the charitable organization hope for good weather, knowing full well that blue skies are not always a sure thing.

Despite the washout that accompanied this year’s race on May 7, however, there is always one certainty that has been connected to this race since it began in 1989: that the race serves as one of the area’s largest providers of funding to the many non-profits throughout southern Chester County.

At an event held on Oct. 27, 14 non-profit organizations received contributions from Kennett Run Charities, Inc. in the amount of more than $25,000. Those groups receiving awards were The Barn at Springbrook Farm, A Child’s Light, Camp Dreamcatcher, the Garage Community & Youth Centers, Good Neighbors, Inc., the Kennett Afterschool Association, the Kennett Area Senior Center, the Kennett Education Foundation, Meals on Wheels-Chester County, Mighty Writers, the Rotary Club of Kennett Square, the Unionville Community Fair, Walk in kNowledge (WIN), and Young Moms.

“We really appreciate the work you do for our community,” said Kennett Run Charities, Inc. President Robert Merkle. “Without you, it wouldn’t be the same community that it is. You are a critical part of it, and we are happy to be able to fund your organizations.”

Due in large part to the lingering presence of the COVID-19 pandemic – which canceled the 2020 race and limited the 2021 event to a virtual run -- registration for the 2022 Kennett Run saw 30 percent fewer entries than in races held before 2020. Secondly, the number of race sponsors dropped by about 50 percent, due largely to the financial stress that many businesses have endured over the last two years.

Despite the lower figures, Kennett Run Charities, Inc. still provided the organizations with 80 percent of the funding they had requested. In addition, this year’s Kennett Run gave competitors the option of contributing $5 of their registration fee to sports booster programs at schools in the Ches-Mont League. As a result, the Kennett High School Booster Club received $1,180, Unionville High School’s Booster Club received $380, and contributions were also made to 10 local high schools.

Brad Dunn, advancement director at Good Neighbors, Inc., said the organization has received funding from the Kennett Run for the past several years, which has been directed toward home renovations and repairs for community members.

“They have been wonderful for us,” he said. “The Kennett Run has been long-time supporters who really care about the community, especially the non-profit organizations who are also trying to help their communities. It’s a win-win for everyone; it’s a fun event for those who participate, and they also contribute funding that will ultimately help people in need.”

Corporate sponsors for the Kennett Run include Britany Lovio – State Farm, Brutscher Foley, Café Americana, Chadds Ford Climate, Chatham Financial, the Chester County Press, Delaware Orthopaedic, Kendal Crosslands, Launch Collective, Mercer Auto Body, Perna & Abracht LLC, Phillips Mushrooms, Pollock Music Lessons, Precision Painting of Chester County, QFIX, Sinton Air Conditioning, the Southern Chester County News, Taylor Oil & Propane, Tri-M, Two Stones Brewing Company and WSFS Bank.

The 33rd Kennett Run will be held on May 6, 2023, beginning at Anson B. Nixon Park. To learn more about the Kennett Run, visit www.kennettrun.net.

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