Hi!

My name is Danubia Benton and I'm a junior at Arizona State University. 

Usually around this time of year, I would be getting ready to collect donations for Benton Elves Christmas Bonanza! This was a free event for families in need that included cookie decorating, food, music and the presents I collected raffled off to families! Due to COVID19, that event won't be possible this year, but I knew I still wanted to find a way to help our community. 5k for Families is a virtual running event in which 100% of the proceeds raised will go directly to Angel Tree. What does this virtual event mean? You can run/walk alone, with a small group of your friends, on a treadmill, at the beach, around your neighborhood, or wherever you'd like! You just submit your results when you're finished! If you're unfamiliar with the Angel Tree program, here is some more information about their organization:

"The United States imprisons more of its citizens than any other nation—currently nearly 2.2 million. While more than 600,000 Americans are released from correctional facilities annually, two-thirds are rearrested within three years. Each year, the nation spends over $80 billion to incarcerate and reincarcerate people. Beyond the financial impact, the cycle of crime and incarceration produces broken relationships, victimization, despair, and instability impacting families and communities across the nation. 

Angel Tree®, a program of Prison FellowshipTM, reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families with the love of Christ. Through Angel Tree, volunteers are mobilized to deliver a gift, the Gospel, and a personal message of love to children on behalf of their mom or dad in prison."

5k for Families is centered around raising money for those in need, NOT around competition. Whether you walk, run, share or donate, we appreciate your help!

Once again, this is about giving back to the community, so I included three different tiers of running! 1 mile, 3 miles or 5 miles! Each is $5 dollars to enter, which will go directly back to Angel Tree, plus a processing fee. If you are looking to donate more, just head to our donation button and feel free to donate whatever else you would like! Anything and everything is appreciated! Because this is virtual, the official running "race day" is December 6th, but anytime before then, feel free to have your own race day and submit your results!