More than 600 early risers resolved to make a difference for others and got a healthy start to 2010. Over the bridge and through the town, they pounded the pavement at the 5th Annual Rotary Resolution Run on Saturday, Jan.16, to advance the mission of The Mary Kay Foundation.

Sponsored by the Addison Midday Rotary Club, the post-holiday happening offered a way for participants at every fitness level to jumpstart their resolutions: a 1K Family Fun Run, a 5K Walk and a 10K Run. Serious runners and leisurely strollers started and finished their journeys at the Addison Conference Centre in Addison, Texas.

“Each year we go through a selection process to choose a beneficiary organization for the run, which is our major fundraiser,” says Neil Hewitt, Addison Midday Rotary Club president and race director. “Robin Moss, our public relations chair, informed us about The Mary Kay Foundation’s efforts. We were all supportive of its mission and agreed that our funds would go toward helping these important causes.”

The thirty-member club was founded in 2004 and is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization with more than 1.2 million members that provides humanitarian services and encourages high ethical standards. Their motto is “Service Above Self.”

Through community sponsors, generous donors, registration fees, and door prize ticket sales, the Rotarians raised an impressive $5,093 donation for the Foundation!

“I am personally passionate about the Foundation’s mission since my sister is a cancer survivor and my mom died of cancer,” adds Robin, an Addison-based entrepreneur.
“Donating to this Foundation makes our funding go further. Because Mary Kay was so passionate about giving back, 98 cents of every dollar raised is directed to help others. And that’s what it’s all about for us: raising money to assist others in the community.”

“It turned out to be a perfect morning for the race,” states Neil. “From a runner’s perspective, it couldn’t have been a better day―cool, no wind and a bit overcast. The winner ran the fastest 10K times we’ve ever seen, setting a new course record.”

Turns out, a fantastic after party was not to be missed either. Festivities included awards, food, beverages, face painting and even an indoor bounce house. Celebrants vied for oodles of prizes donated by the business community, from local hotel stays to restaurant meals.

Sunni Goldberg, project manager for e-business at Mary Kay who used the race to kick off her year of training, agrees it was a perfect day.

“I ran the 10K, and it was great!” exclaims Sunni. “The race was well organized, and the location was beautiful. It was so majestic in the early morning with planes from nearby Addison Airport taking off and flying overhead. I loved the course. I had an awesome view of Addison as I was running over the bridge.”

“What an ideal way to start the year: supporting Mary Kay, supporting the Foundation and kicking off my own training! I was amazed at the number of volunteers cheering along the course.”

“We’re really thankful to the Mary Kay organization for all the volunteers,” says Neil. “We had more than 60 volunteers help with this, and a majority of them came through Mary Kay. People really do want to get out and participate.”

The Mary Kay Foundation is truly grateful to all those who joined in this event to make it a resolutely wonderful success!