The Arthritis Foundation was created 75 years ago by a group of determined doctors who declared, “We have to do something about arthritis.” It’s a disease that affects 60 million Americans (one in five) and an estimated 300,000 children. That’s something many people don’t know, kids get arthritis, too.
It was a realization my husband and I came to in January of 2002 when our four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). Jim had already been dealing with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis, since the age of 19. After Brooke was diagnosed, our family felt a strong desire to raise money for an organization that could help fund treatment and research for those suffering.
That December, we organized Bowling Green’s first “Jingle Bell Run” to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. Over the next four years, the festive 5K event was held prior to the holidays, raising more than 50 thousand dollars.
We were planning to bring the event back in 2020 but the pandemic put that on hold for a year.
In 2021, the Jingle Bell Run returned to Bowling Green with more than 170 runners and walkers coming out to Ephram White Park. Many familiar faces and sponsors are back on-board including Bowling Green’s beloved Broadway the Clown. He was Santa for the race back in the early 2000s and he continues to be now! The Jingle Bell Run also has the support of WKU’s AOPi, chapter whose philanthropy focus is the Arthritis Foundation. It’s been a perfect partnership, as we all have the same goal in mind.
Come jingle with us on Saturday, November 18th. We are so excited about our new location! This year’s race will start and end at South Warren High School. Festive attire and teams are encouraged, and children are welcome! We will have plenty of tasty treats on hand, and the opportunity to meet Santa! You can register at www.jbr.org/bowlinggreen.
-submitted by Amy DeCesare, Co-Chair, BG Jingle Bell Run
