The Run For Holland returns

  • MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Organizer Adam Burleson gives opening remarks at the Run For Holland, assisted by his daughter Holland, for whom the event is named.
    MNJ Photo/Steffen Silvis. Organizer Adam Burleson gives opening remarks at the Run For Holland, assisted by his daughter Holland, for whom the event is named.
    Steffen Silvis
    MNJ Correspondent

     

    Early Saturday morning a crowd of around 200 converged on the grounds of the First Baptist Church in Spruce Pine for the 12th annual Run For Holland, the yearly charity race that raises both money for, and a greater awareness of, children with disabilities and their needs.

    While conditions post-Helene dictated a change in venue (Riverside Park remains a disaster site), the length of the run (the 10K race was considered unfeasible and scrapped, so only the 5K and the Fun Run were kept), and the amount of business sponsors (too many of which are still recovering from the storm), there was no alteration in the level of enthusiasm among the attendees.

    There were 118 registered participants for the runs, ranging from children to seniors, many of whom were veterans of past runs. A legion of volunteers from across Western North Carolina were also on hand to help the event run smoothly, including a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) officer, who had heard of the event the day before and wanted to help any way they could.

    In his opening remarks to the crowd, Adam Burleson, who created the Run For Holland with his wife Brooke, spoke of the post-hurricane problems everyone in Western North Carolina has faced, but acknowledged the unsparing support from the town and area citizens, who collectively raised $160,000 in donations.

    Joined by his young daughter Holland, for whom the run is named, Burleson spoke of how the event’s greatest purpose was in helping foster “the value of inclusion and awareness.” Even into its 12th year, Burleson spoke of his continuing admiration for the “courage, resilience, and joy” of the special needs children for whom the run is dedicated, and of being humbled by the fact that a “small idea” that he and his wife developed around the future needs of their own child had become a “powerful movement,” one that no storm and its aftermath could diminish. This year’s Run For Holland was a celebration in overcoming the challenges faced by both special needs children and by a battered community.