Social Entrepreneur Class gets dirty for fundraising

Lincoln Schools teacher Laura Bullis' Social Entrepreneurship class is slated to host a "Mud Run" for charity Saturday, June first.

The Freshmen-level class dedicates the last semester of the school year to teaching kids to use their tech skills to develop, plan and organize an event that gives back to the community, Bullis told the BVD.

"The kids have always made the decision of what to do. I take no part in choosing," she said. "Next year it could be picking trash up from the river or cooking a free meal for the community. It's all up to the kids and their imaginations. There's no telling what each year's event will be. It just depends on the group of kids."

For the last two years, the class voted to host a color run. This year's event, however, will be a bit more down and dirty.

"This year...each student presented a different idea and then the class as a whole voted on what they thought was the best event, that would raise the most for the community," Bullis said. "The event they chose was Damion Birkholz's Mud Run idea."

Consisting of an obstacle course involving mud pits, army crawls, slip-n-slides and more, the event will take place in a horse pasture just west of town. Participants may run or walk the course, and should expect to get wet and muddy. Bullis said the event is a version of the "Spartan" races that have become popular in recent years, although more simplified due to limited funds, volunteers and resources.

Adult participants can expect to pay a $15 entry fee, while entry for kids ages 12-17 will be seven dollars. Commemorative T-shirts will also be available for sale at the event.

Also making an appearance will be the Lincoln Skatepark Committee, "Straight Outta Lincoln," with advisor and Lincoln Schools English Teacher Phillip Reed. Reed said students from the committee will provide Gatorade and refreshments for purchase, and raffle off a skateboard to benefit their Lincoln Skatepark fundraiser.

The money raised by the race will be split between the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department and Lincoln Volunteer Ambulance.

The turnout for the last two years has maxed around 20 people, Bullis said, but the kids are hoping for 50 participants this year.

The race is set for Saturday, June 1, from 4-8 p.m. in Bill Cyr's horse pasture west of town, off of Highway 200 and Sunrise lane. Bullis said there will be lots of signage to direct participants and spectators.