Strummin' & Drummin' - Banding Together for Foster Children - PPCA - 5K Run/Walk...

• 5K Run/Walk :- Run 3.1 Miles
• Kids Run/Walk:- Kids Run

_ The 2018 Strummin' & Drummin' - Banding Together for Foster Children - PPCA - 5K Run/Walk:

Join us for a scenic 3-mile music-filled run/walk around beautiful Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Florida as we "band together" to support the needs of children entering the local foster care system.   A variety of musical genres will greet you as you make your way around manicured soccer and baseball fields overlooking tranquil Lake Myrtle.

The mission of Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy's (PPCA) Strummin' & Drummin' - Banding Together for Foster Children 5K Run/Walk is twofold.  Proceeds from the 5K will provide foster children, served through Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties' Heartland for Children non-profit organization, with essential personal items to support their transition into foster care.   

Currently, over 2,000 children are in the foster care system in Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties. Some of these children will be removed from their homes with little notice to assure their safety. In an effort to ease the trauma of these circumstances, PPCA is hosting the 2nd Annual PPCA 5K Run/Walk to benefit children entering the Heartland for Children foster care system. Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase small totes/suitcases to fill with blankets, books, hygiene products, diapers and other items to make sure each child has the essentials in their new placement and to help them have a designated place to keep their things.

 You can help make these children feel special by supporting our PPCA 5K charity event through race participation, monetary donations or auction basket sponsorship. Monetary donations and items for silent auction baskets are appreciated. In return, you will be recognized for your generosity.

Proceeds from the Strummin' & Drummin' 5K will also sponsor the PPCA Culinary Cares Project (CCP) which provides meals for families touched by life changing events. The Culinary Cares Project was created in August of 2017 and the high school culinary team, under the direction of Stacie Helms, has already brought comfort and joy to a number of families.  PPCA's motto, "Be the One" is being exemplified by the culinary students each time they perform their Culinary Cares Outreach Project.  Funds will be used to continue the purchase of menu items and kitchen equipment needed for the meal preparation.   

Event Amenities: Musical performances heard throughout the course.  All participants will receive a finishers medal.  Awards will be presented to top finishers in specific age categories:  Top three M/F beginning with 11 years of age to 90.  Age groups are divided into 5 year increments.  Registrations by 11:59 p.m., April 1, 2018 are guaranteed a custom race t-shirt.  Water stations, clocks at 1 and 2 miles. Post race food for 5K participants with bib number. Paper registrations are due by April 1 in order to be guaranteed a race t-shirt. 

Safety is priority. Bicycles, roller blades/skates and dogs are prohibited on the course. Run/walk etiquette is encouraged. Strollers/joggers must start behind all runners. Stroller/jogger operators must yield the right of way to runners/walkers.  

-) 2018 race registration is open • Registration Information