Dublin High School Alumni Lead Race Team Supporting Project Open Hand

A team of Dublin volunteers and avid runners recently donated some sweat to raise money for Project Open Hand, in conjunction with event sponsor San Francisco Giants. The team beat their goal of raising $1,000 for this worthy cause.

According to Dublin High School alum and team captain Ann Kenney, “Since 1985, Project Open Hand has provided vital nutrition and compassion to some of the neediest individuals in our community. Project Open Hand provides meals, groceries, and nutritional counseling to individuals living with HIV and AIDS, individuals who are homebound with other critical illnesses, and seniors in San Francisco and Alameda County. At Project Open Hand, the goal is to feed the body, mind, and soul, through healthy food prepared and delivered with love, by dedicated staff and volunteers.

“This event took place on August 4th, 2013 in San Francisco at AT&T Park and consisted of a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k, as well as a family race and a kid’s race. People who want to get involved should look to Project Open Hand and consider volunteering. There will be another run in March, but it will be put on by a different organization. Project open hand should be putting on another run next year and these races are open to anyone; you don’t have to be a runner to participate, there were plenty of walkers in the race, even people with strollers. People can still get involved this year, we can still take donations and the donation would be greatly appreciated, but anyone who is moved at all by this should consider doing the run next year, it not only allows you to change someone else’s life, but it allows you to change your life as well.”

Ms. Kenney continues, “The members of our team, Teri Kenney (District Employee), Alison Pitts (DHS Alumni), Ciera Taylor, Maya Baranouskas, Nick Kouri (DHS Alumni) and myself were all very moved by this organization and what it was doing for those who were unable to provide meals for themselves. We made it our goal to raise over $1,000 and through donations from family and friends as well as the money we raised from a yard sale, we were able to achieve our goal and then some. Our total raised was $1,150, which allowed us as a team to go to a special warm-up room, where we learned that we were one of only three non-corporate teams to raise over $1,000.

“The run itself was beautiful along the Embarcadero, we ran a mile and a half down and turned around to run back, finishing in AT&T Park. After the race we were able to cool down on the field and then make our way into the stadium. We had a great time raising the funds for the event and participating in the event as well and look forward to do this again next year.”