DAWN WHEATLAND AND KRISTIN MORROW, ELMHURST – NO FRILLS RUN Elmhurst moms, Dawn and Kristin, want their kids to grow up watching them help others in the community in hopes they will keep the tradition alive as they get older.
Putting words into action, these avid runners came up with the idea of organizing a race to benefit a family within their community who was experiencing a medical hardship or death; hence, the No Frills Race was founded in 2011.
Between the two moms, they have six kids, ranging in age from 2 to 12 years old. With the help of their husbands, who do much of the parenting the month of the race, Dawn and Kristin are able to dedicate 30 hours a week to the event needs. “The city of Elmhurst is also really wonderful to us,” Kristin says, “and the businesses in our community are SO GENEROUS, donating raffle baskets, silent auction items, money, food, etc. I think people embrace the idea of supporting a family in our own community who needs love and support.”
With so many local families in need, choosing just one is difficult, so they recruited a very diverse nominating committee consisting of 7 people from all over our community. This year’s race was in honor of Darryl May, an Elmhurst resident, ambitious athlete, community activist and family man who is battling bone marrow cancer. Thanks to 310 runners at this year’s run, Darryl will receive $53,025.48! www.NoFrillsFunRun.org –Kristen Kucharski
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