Kids Bloomsday To Raise Money For Cancer Camp

Junior Bloomsday, the world’s largest children’s running event, is giving away money this year - lots of it, organizers said Wednesday.

“Rather than be complacent and sit on our laurels, we decided to do a little bit more,” said Dan Petek, spokesman for the 13-year-old Spokane event.

This year, the race’s entry fee rises from $3 to $4, but each additional dollar will go to Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp for children with cancer.

Staffed with pediatric oncologists, nurses and medical volunteers, the Fan Lake camp hosts about 125 children for a week each summer. Those kids attend free, thanks to the American Cancer Society.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for name awareness so we can have more kids come,” said Judy Morris, the camp’s co-chair.

The camp has an annual budget of $40,000, funded entirely from donations.

Based on past registration numbers, Junior Bloomsday will likely donate at least $7,500.

Race organizers are hoping local businesses will also pledge money for each entry, boosting the donation.

With another $7,500, the camp could accept 25 more children, Morris said.

Junior Bloomsday chose Camp Goodtimes because it was looking for a nonprofit organization that needs money and publicity.

“We wanted to identify an unknown cause and try to cast it into the public light,” Petek said.

Next year, Junior Bloomsday will choose a different organization to receive its money.

While it’s giving money away, race organizers want parents to know that a lack of dollars shouldn’t stop their wee dashers.

The race has always accepted the 400 to 600 entries it gets each year from families who can’t afford to pay. However, the policy has never been advertised, Petek said.

This year, it’s on the marquee.

“We are looking to the news media to get this really known,” Petek said. “We want kids to get out and run.”

Entries without payment will be honored without question, Petek said.

The organization doesn’t know how the free entries will affect its finances, but Petek believes those who can pay will.

“The children are running for other kids that need their help,” he said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: THE EVENT Junior Bloomsday is for children 5-12 years old. The race starts at Albi Stadium with wheelchair entries at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 18. At 9 a.m., the 12-year-olds run, followed by the other age groups through the morning. Entry forms are available at Spokane-area Albertsons stores, Snyder’s Bakery outlets, and District 81 and Education School District 101 schools. Registration forms must be postmarked by midnight, April 4. Children pick up race packets at the Ag Trade Center on April 16 and 17, between 3 and 8 p.m. For corporate pledge information, contact Dan Petek at 328-7307.