Red Cross Labor Day tradition set to kick off this Monday

The Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross launches its biggest fundraising event this Labor Day with its budget badly in need of an infusion.  The 5^th Annual Robin Lotane Hurricane Run has already attracted significant sponsor support and hundreds of runners and walkers are expected to toe the starting line and participate.

“We are contributing significant resources to the Hurricane Isaac relief effort,” said Chapter CEO Dan Samborn, “and that partnership with Red Cross Chapters throughout the Gulf region likely will not end soon.  This storm has caused significant damage and, tragically, thousands have been impacted.”

This comes in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby unleashing devastating damage and flooding to the Capital region, particularly in the southern counties.  So far, the Capital Area Chapter has spent over $250,000 aiding victims of TS Debby and relief efforts are ongoing. 

In recent years the Robin Lotane Hurricane Run has attracted close to 700 runners and walkers, becoming one of the largest races in the Big Bend.  The race was started in 2007 by Robin Lotane who wanted to use the event to remind people about hurricane readiness and the Red Cross’s role in disaster relief but, more importantly, to raise money to support local Red Cross Operations.  In the past four years the run has brought in over $200,000 in cash, through sponsorships and entry fees, and thousands more has been donated in trade, advertising and other services. 

Unfortunately Lotane, who had been a long time Red Cross board member and served as Board Chairman twice, passed away in July of 2010 after a long battle with cancer.  Subsequently, the Red Cross Board renamed the race in her honor.

This year the race will start and finish at the Capital Area Chapter Headquarters on Easterwood Drive, at Tom Brown Park.  The 5k race is held on paved roads that wind around the park, and there will be a 1 mile fun run.  The fun run starts at 7:45, the 5k kicks off at 8:15, on Labor Day morning, September 3^rd.  Information on the race and on pre-registration is available at tallyredcross.org. 

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