RUN FOR A CAUSE
Learn about our Charity Partners and how you can run for a cause!These local non-profit organizations are dedicated to a variety of causes and needs across western North Carolina and will be providing volunteer support before, during, and after the 2024 event in exchange for a variety of fundraising opportunities! These are the people who help drive our race participants to the finish line with a SMILE!
CHARITY PARTNERS 2024
Sheep Dog Impact Assistance
Improving the Lives of Our Nation’s Veterans and First Responders in Need by Helping Them Get Off The Couch™ and Reengage in Living an Active, Meaningful & Productive Life Through Our Outdoor Adventures, Warrior PATHH and Disaster Response Mission Programs.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs states that more than 6,000 Veterans die by suicide each year, and other statistics show that twice as many First Responders die by suicide than in the line of duty. By gathering together Sheep Dogs who have suffered similar traumas & experiences, SDIA has found that the camaraderie and peer support they receive fosters healing and is critical to their overall well-being. When Sheep Dogs #GetOffTheCouch™, their attitude, motivation and perspective are drastically improved. Your generous support allows SDIA to ENGAGE, ASSIST & EMPOWER our nation’s heroes to Get Off The Couch™ with their brothers & sisters, which prevents suicides in our Veteran and First Responder communities.
Donate now through your registration or our fundraising page.
Conserving Carolina
Our Mission is to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world. We serve part of Western North Carolina and a portion of Upstate South Carolina, and we have protected over 48,000 acres in this region! We want to connect more people with the land and we’re doing this by:
- Spearheading the 100+ mile Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, with 38 miles of stunning hiking trails already open to the public.
- Leading the way on two ambitious new rail trails — the 19-mile Ecusta Trail and the 31-mile Saluda Grade Trail.
- Restoring wetlands, streams, and natural floodplains along the Upper French Broad River, bringing back a thriving natural corridor along the river.
Your gifts protect truly extraordinary places—mountains, waterfalls, rivers, farms, parks, trails, greenways, and more. You are helping make this part of the Carolinas a wonderful place to live or visit. We are deeply grateful for your support.
Eliada
We are a non-profit agency in Asheville that provides a cradle-to-career continuum of services for over 400 children and youth annually. This includes our 5-Star Child Development Center (child care, pre-k, afterschool, and summer camp), Residential mental health programs, Foster Care and Adoption Services, Workforce Housing programming, Equine Therapy, Intensive In-Home Therapy & Emergency Respite Care. Established in 1903, we have been helping children succeed for almost 120 years.
iDream Athletes Foundation
It is the mission, duty and purpose of iDream Athletes Foundation to provide opportunities for Western North Carolina youth and adults who are unable to pay for sporting event fees, coaching, travel expenses and/or equipment to train for and/or participate in our WNC sporting events. This tax-exempt non-profit provides needs-based scholarships. The amounts to be gifted are determined on a case-by-case basis through a criteria-selection process. In addition, we will assist in fueling the growth for local running, cycling and multi-sport champions, teams, clubs, locally owned stores and communities in Western North Carolina by providing resource and financial support when conducting our key activities.
Is your non-profit interested in being part of the race? Send us a message!