Sozo Children reached a new record crowd for its 9th Annual Run for a Reason 5k in May. The run, originally scheduled for April, was changed to a virtual run due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 500 participants ran, walked, biked and some even rode in strollers to help raise awareness for Sozo over the course of seven days spanning May 10-16, 2020. Many long term supporters of Sozo participate in the traditional run each year but the move online opened up new opportunities for outreach. We truly loved seeing every media post, email and text from new friends and current supporters–your photos brought us joy!
“The new virtual Run for a Reason was a great way to introduce friends and family to the ministry (that we love),” said Daphne Robertson, a Sozo sponsor in North Carolina. “Many of them connected with Sozo and its mission for the first time through this event.”
In total, Run for a Reason included 512 participants in 27 states but the reach was much broader thanks to social media. Runners from as far away as California and Uganda joined in to raise awareness.
Virtual runs for charity have become popular in recent years and are a convenient way for organizations to increase outreach. When the pandemic forced us to pause foreign missions and suspend the Sozo Children’s Choir tour, the virtual run began to grow beyond our expectations.
Run for a Reason featured runners ranging from 6 months to 84 years!
“The run was a nice way to involve some of the North Carolina families,” said Daphne. Supporters in North Carolina had planned 10th anniversary celebrations for the ministry during the choir’s tour stops there. “We can’t wait for the day Sozo Children’s Choir can perform and I, personally, can’t wait to return to Uganda to see all God has done.”
