Annual 5K event helps ‘foster’ those in need

STERLING HEIGHTS — Nearly 200 people put their best feet forward May 13 to raise money for the Friends of Foster Kids.

The Philip S. Killoran Chapter of the National Honor Society at Sterling Heights High School held its annual 5K race and family fun run/walk to benefit the nonprofit organization.

The race began on the Sterling Heights High School campus. The route then took runners and walkers across the front walk along 15 Mile Road and around the Marina/Brougham subdivision and through Thomas Chappelle Park and then back to the school campus.

A total of 190 runners and walkers crossed the finish line, raising $4,735.

Sterling Heights High School is part of the Warren Consolidated Schools district.

The Eastside Racing Company, based in Rochester Hills, tracked the runners’ race times, and there were different categories based on age. The top winners earned medals during a ceremony on the school grounds. Runners and walkers paid an admission fee, which in turn will benefit FoFK.

“It’s just a worthy cause,” said Sterling Heights High School English and public speaking teacher Jennifer Huyghe, who is also the NHS sponsor. “We’ve had a lot of good vendors. I love to see the kids helping the community.

“I decided to be a part of the NHS because it’s a service organization. I have fun teaching and working with the kids. They learn about networking with the community. They learn how to lead with character. This gets them involved with different organizations,” Huyghe said. “We all just have a heart for kids and a heart for families. We want to spread awareness.”

Friends of Foster Kids was founded by Theresa Toia, whose daughter was a caseworker in the state’s foster care system. Toia works with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to help foster children in southeastern Michigan who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Some children are living in foster care facilities or foster care homes.

With the help of volunteers and private donations, the Friends of Foster Kids is about “the five C’s.” Those are Christmas, care, college, careers, and the coalition of community commitment. The care component, for example, provides immediate needs for children removed from a bad situation, including shoes, coats, clothing, undergarments, pajamas and blankets.

The FoFK college program provides the basics for older youths setting up independent living environments by donating small refrigerators, hygiene products, microwaves, laptop computers, laundry detergent and bath towels. Due to confidentiality reasons, the FoFK volunteers do not meet the children in person until they become adults at age 18.

On race day, Troy residents and friends Dan DiGregorio and Laura Soreide were out of breath when they crossed the 5K finish line, but at the same time were “elated” and “energized.”

“It’s like a runner’s high,” DiGregorio said.

This was their first FoFK race. They found out about it from the Eastside Racing website.

“It was fun. It’s for a good cause,” DiGregorio said. “It was nice running through the neighborhood. There was one spot that was a half-mile straight. You had to keep your mind focused.”

“It was a really good course for young families because you can always see your kids,” Soreide said. “We did it to support Friends of Foster Kids.”

The pair typically participates in two races per month.

“It’s always a challenge,” DiGregorio said.   

The FoFK event included a disc jockey, door prize drawings, food, face painting, vendors, and lawn games. Several NHS students helped keep the race going by providing water for participants. Juniors Sandra Hawil and Ujvesa Blakaj and sophomores Chloe Taylor and Dillyn Winberg were among the volunteers cheering runners on at the half-mile mark on Marian Drive.

“This is my first year on the NHS,” Blakaj said. “I like the community aspect of it.”

Across the street, an impromptu cheering section assembled when Anton Stephen, 10, and his cousins Annabella Eisho, 6, and Isabela Eisho, 4, saw the participants jogging by. When they found out what was happening, they began cheering everyone on by yelling, “Good job.”

“My auntie was cooking outside, and we saw this marathon and thought, ‘Should we cheer for them?’ Let’s do it,” Stephen said. “You’re at the half-point. They want the medals. They’re actually trying to get some exercise.”

“I clapped for them,” Annabella said.

For more information about Friends of Foster Kids, visit friendsoffosterkids.org.