Unity in the Community: Race Raises Funds for School Libraries

Saturday morning kicked off the 12th  annual Unity In The Community 5K/10K Run/Walk and Children’s Fun Run at the The Diamond. 

More than 1,000 people were in attendance, with nearly 700 participating in the run/walk, according to race founder and director Janna Kaas.

“Our sole purpose for being here is as the name implies, ‘Unity in the community,’ ” Kaas said. “It is to bring the community together for something that is fun and promotes healthy lifestyles.”

All proceeds from Saturday’s race will benefit school libraries in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District.

“The winning top schools gets $10 per student registration and second (place) gets $5 per student registration,” Kaas said. “We had wonderful sponsors that gave generously and made the event happen.” 

According to Kaas, most of the event volunteers were from Mormon Helping Hands.

“We (had) adequate volunteers to do everything, they have just made the event,” Kaas said. “The school district is involved and the city council was here. It is a joint effort from everybody.

“It brings me so much joy to see these people out here using what’s here in the valley,” Kaas said. “I’m grateful for everyone who works together that makes this happen.”

Click here for more information and race results.

Angelynn Medina of Lake Elsinore brought her 13-year-old daughter Arielle to the event. 

“She wanted to participate in the 5k run,” Medina said. “Of course I’m going to support her. Anything that has to do with her health and school, I’m all for it.”

Arielle was joined by a couple of school friends for the run/walk.

“We were just having fun,” Arielle said, who is an eighth grader at Canyon Lake Middle School. “It’s not competition or anything.”