Lifeline’s R(un) for One is a family-friendly annual event where Lifeline’s alumni, friends, advocates, and community partners run or walk to raise awareness and funding for vulnerable children around the world. All event proceeds benefit (un)adopted®, Lifeline’s international orphan care ministry. This is our widest reaching event with at least nine locations hosting 5K runs, with runners also participating in states across the country through R(un) Where You Are, a race option to support Lifeline anywhere in the world. Because of the vast reach of this race, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the country for this special day of unity running for the unadopted. The race is an early Saturday morning event, so some jobs start as early as 6 a.m.
Pre-Event Volunteers:
- In-kind donations and event sponsorships
-
- This team assists staff with acquiring in-kind donation items from businesses and outside vendors for our runner prizes and other event needs. They will also help reach out to businesses to present event sponsorship opportunities. This process begins at least four months prior to the R(un).
- R(un) T-shirt mailing
-
- This team helps organize all runner and volunteer event shirts 3-4 weeks before the R(un) to mail to our R(un) Where You Are registrants and prepare for local runners to receive the day before the event.
- Runner bags
-
- This team helps organize items and assemble runner bags to hand out at packet pick-up and the event.
- Packet Pick-up
-
- This team works in shifts the day before the event (Friday) to hand out runner bags and assign runner bib numbers at the official pick-up location.
Day-of Volunteers:
- Check-in, registration & timing
-
- This team is the first point of contact for our participants the morning of the R(un). They help set-up and then work the check-in and registration tables for runners and other event volunteers, handing out shirts, runner supplies, and directing participants to their next station. This team also assists our timing company by ensuring all registrations are entered in the timing system and act as runners between the registration area and timing tables by the race course. Early morning risers are great for this “early bird” team.
- Food prep & stand
-
- This team sets up the food table and prepares refreshments during the R(un) to have ready for runners once they finish the race. They’re responsible for keeping snacks and drinks stocked and cleaning up the area after the event ends.
- Course signage & water stations
-
- This team is responsible for securing signage in their designated spots throughout the venue and setting up the water stations along the course before the R(un). During the race, some members will remain at their designated water station to serve drinks to our runners and ensure all station supplies are collected and cleaned up as the race concludes. Other members will be scattered along the course to help navigate and encourage runners.
- Guest engagement
-
- This team’s focus is to make our participants feel welcome, engaged, and inspired by Lifeline’s mission and work through (un)adopted. They will be our event greeters, table/booth hosts, and Lifeline ambassadors during the R(un). They will help set-up the (un)adopted and Lifeline info tables, photo booth, and merchandise before the event and then help manage each table during the festivities. They share with guests about who Lifeline is, what we do, and provide ways that they can get involved (with staff assistance, of course). You don’t have to be a Lifeline expert to volunteer with this team. As long as you have a heart for our mission and can engage with guests, we will give you everything else you need to thrive in this capacity.
- Fun R(un) team
-
- Because the majority of our Fun R(un) participants are kids, this volunteer team leads kid-friendly stretches before the 1-mile race begins. The Fun R(un) team will also run alongside the participants and guide them along the course as needed.
- Tear down & clean-up
-
- This team helps collect all Lifeline and event materials at the conclusion of the race and then loads/delivers items to Lifeline’s offices. General venue clean-up is a top priority in order to keep good–standing relationships with our venue partners and be good stewards of what we’ve been allowed to use. This process typically lasts about two hours after the event ends.
For more information about our 2020 R(un) for One, visit runforone5k.org