LIBERTY — Pickens County Meals on Wheels is hosting a unique event to spur on much needed funds: a “glow run” 5K race to be held the evening of Oct. 21.

The run will start on S.C. 93 in downtown Liberty in front of the McKissick Center and will end at the back of the organization’s building on Edgemont Avenue with the starting whistle sounding at 7 p.m.

But it’s more than just a fundraiser, the race has also been listed with Go-Green Events and participants who pre-register and will receive a T-shirt with their packets if registered by Oct. 15.

“We will also be holding a ‘Glow Attire Contest’ where participants are encouraged to be creative with their glow attire and we will be awarding a 1st and 2nd place winners,” said Pickens County Meals on Wheels (PCMOW) Development and Fundraising Coordinator Kim Valentin.

“Walkers will start the race at 7 p.m. and runners will begin at 7:30. This will be a timed race and awards will be given to first and second place runners,” she said.

Post-race snacks will be provided as well as a cash bar along with disco music will be waiting for runners at the finish line, she said.

The fundraiser comes at an especially opportune time as the organization recently found itself faces with over $21,000 in unexpected expenses this year.

PCMOW Executive Director Meta Bowers stated in a previous interview with The Sentinel-Progress several equipment failures had left the non-profit in a difficult financial position.

“If it was going to break, apparently it was going to break this year,” she said. “We’ve had some bad luck.”

Bowers said an industrial vegetable steamer, a freezer, an elevator, the McKissick Center’s HVAC system, a van and other things all essential for day to day operations needed to be repaired or replaced in the last few months alone.

Obtaining outside funds from the public is the only way the organization can continue to operate, she said.

But, if a race isn’t exactly up your alley, there are other ways to support PCMOW.

How do you feel about, say, a few card games?

PCMOW will be hosting their first ever Riverboat Casino Night on Nov. 4 from 7-10 p.m. at the McKissick Center in Liberty.

“We are transforming our dining room into a riverboat themed casino with blackjack, roulette, craps and poker tables,” said Valentin. “Casino play is free and for entertainment purposes only. We encourage our guests to dress for the Riverboat theme.”

Tickets are pre-selling for the event which will also feature music, a live and silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Tickets are $75 per person to include two drink tickets, along with the hors d’oeuvres.

Auction items so far include a beach condo, airplane ride over the Upstate, a night at a Reserve Cottage for four couples with an executive chef cooking an exquisite dinner with drinks, tickets to NASCAR Motor Speedway, a golf cart and a Perception Kayak — just to name a few.

For more information, visit www.pcmow.org.

Pickens County Meals on Wheels is hosting a unique event to spur on much needed funds: a “glow run” 5K race to be held the evening of Oct. 21.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_glow1.jpgPickens County Meals on Wheels is hosting a unique event to spur on much needed funds: a “glow run” 5K race to be held the evening of Oct. 21. Courtesy photo

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.