Marines from a tri-state area will hit the ground running Sept. 30 in a 5K run to benefit military charities.
The Marine Corp League of Anne Arundel County hosts the 3rd Annual 2018 Marines Helping Heroes 5K Challenge at 7:30 a.m. at Live! Casino in Hanover. The 5K run is designed to replicate the Physical Fitness Test required by the Marines Corps.
“We wanted to create an event where the average person can come out and challenge the Marines,” said Peter Smith, 5K Challenge Coordinator.
Anne Arundel County Detachment 1049 Commandant Ray Sturm said the run is “a great opportunity for members of the community to come meet the Marines and test their fitness against our nation’s finest.”
Sturm is a board member of Marines Helping Heroes Foundation, as well as one of the organizers of the 5K Challenge. He said the first event, in 2016, went from an idea to fruition in about six weeks.
“We attracted about 20 registered participants with an additional 30-40 Marines running,” he said. “Last year, we grew to 80 registered runners. This year we certainly hope to attract over 100 participants.”
The first Marines Helping Hero’s 5K Challenge took place along the public bike trail at BWI Marshall Airport. The second year, the event kicked off from Live! Casino-Hotel at Arundel Mills Mall.
The first 5K Challenge was a test of faith, and a challenge just to break even. It made about $1,500.
“Last year, we were able to raise $5,000,” Sturm said. “We don’t have a monetary goal (this year), but we certainly hope to break last year’s total.”
The proceeds from this challenge are earmarked for local area military and veteran needs.
“Our primary beneficiary last year was the active duty Marines at Fort Meade,” said Sturm. “We donated to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Fund. Our secondary beneficiary was the Semper Fi Fund.”
The Semper Fi Fund works with active military and veterans who are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Semper Fi Fund is also the primary beneficiary of the detachment’s annual golf tournament.
“As the amount we raise increases, we hope to add additional beneficiaries,” Sturm said.
Besides Live! other supporters of Marines Helping Heroes are local businesses that include Maryland Building Industry Association, Greenway Bowl, iNovex Information Systems and Naval Federal Credit Union.
To find out more about Marines Helping Heroes, or to register for the Marine’s 5K Challenge, visit https://marineshelpingheroes.org.
Elks crab feast
Glen Burnie Elks Lodge #2266, 878 Stevens Road in Severn, is hosting a Crab Feast Sept. 22, 3–6 p.m. Cost is $45 with a cash bar. Live music is presented by Four On the Floor With Overdrive. Call 410-969-2266 for more information.
Spaghetti dinner
Dine with family and friends and meet new neighbors at the Jessup Improvement Association All-You-Care-To-Eat Spaghetti Dinner Sept. 29, 5–8 p.m. at Jessup Community Hall, 2920 Jessup Road. Dinner is dine-in or carry-out. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-11.
Children under 5-years-old eat free. Baked goods and 50/50 Raffle tickets are also available.
For more information email JIA at jessup-improvement@gmail.com.
Songwriters round robin
Edith May’s Paradise Featured Artists Series presents a Songwriters Round Robin hosted by John Seay with guests Matt Douglass and Karen Goldberg, on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Donations are welcome at the door.
Edith May’s Paradise is at 7711 Apple Ave. in Jessup. For more information, visit georgie@georgiejessup.com or call 410-799-3755.
Teacher of the year finalist
Monarch Global Academy Public Contract School in Laurel’s Heather Carnaghan, who serves as a middle school project-based learning instructional guide, was named one of seven finalists for the 2018-19 Maryland Teacher of the Year by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Carnaghan was the first charter or contract school teacher to win the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Teacher of the Year award. She is now the first charter or contract school teacher to be a finalist for Maryland Teacher of the Year. Carnaghan has more than 13 years of experience in the classroom.
The 2018-19 Maryland Teacher of the Year will be announced Oct. 12.
