The Tulsa Sports Commission announces eight beneficiaries for this year’s Tulsa Federal Credit Union Tulsa Run.
River Parks Foundation is the primary beneficiary for the 40th running of the 15K. It will receive $25,000, which will go toward its privately funded park patrol program.
"Our park patrol is seasonal — spring, summer, fall — and it's basically a security service in the park," said River Parks Director Matt Meyer. "We have a small vehicle that either rides on the trails or can go in the park. These guys act as eyes and ears and the first line of defense for safety for our park patrons," Meyer said.
The Tulsa Run's five $1,000 beneficiaries this year are Aim High Academy, Assistance League of Tulsa, Emergency Infant Services, Global Gardens and Lindsey House.
Two $2,500 beneficiaries were added for 2017: Tulsa Tough and the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance. STEM Alliance Program Director Xan Black said the funding will help with a plan to put science, technology, engineering and math education kits in school and public libraries and hospitals.
"Some are larger kits that a teacher can check out from the library, so there'd be a set of 30 robots that a teacher could check out. Some are for that kid who's just like, 'Wow, I've always wanted to look through a microscope,' or 'I've always wanted to build a trebuchet or a catapult or something like that,'" Black said.
Race Director Heath Aucoin said the Tulsa Run aims to give back.
"There's so many people in this community that do so many great things, and we want to be a part of that," Aucoin said.
The Tulsa Run is Oct. 28.
