The Cheyney C Club held its inaugural 5k Run and Health Education Fair at Cheyney University on Saturday, April 16 and the event was met with a good deal of support from Cheyney alumni, students and the local community.
With more than 100 people in attendance, the event featured a 5k run along Creek Road, a one mile walk on the track in O’Shields Stevenson Stadium, and a health education fair in Cope Hall.
This is the first year The C Club has hosted a race and health fair but the planning committee says that it was up to the challenge. Spring 5k Committee Chair Yasheaka Oakley Owens ’11 says the event is already a success on many levels.“We set a goal to raise money for scholarship support and provide our neighbors with the opportunity to learn about programs or services that could improve their wellbeing, so we are very thankful to our sponsors, partners, and participants for taking the pledge to make this event a reality,” said Oakley Owens.
Community organizations and businesses were invited to help increase awareness of housing, health and wellness, financial stability, utilities, education and employment resources available in Thornbury Township of Chester and Delaware Counties. Seventeen organizations and representatives shared their expertise with attendees including WomenHeart, American Red Cross, Benchmark Federal Credit Union, BHCU, Black Nurses Association of Delaware,
Cheyney University National Alumni Association, Citadel Credit Union, Friends of the Delaware County Women’s Commission, Girls on the Run of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, Independence Blue Cross Express Truck, Maternal and Child Health Consortium, PA CareerLink Delaware County at Chester, Riddle Hospital, The Vitamin Shoppe and The Sunshine Foundation.
Kate Semple is the president of The Sunshine Foundation, a nonprofit that serves children from income-limited families living with chronic illnesses. When her team received the invitation to join the Health Education Fair, she said they were happy to register.
“It was a wonderful day and we are grateful to been given the opportunity to spread Sunshine,” said Semple, “We would be grateful to have this chance to share our mission again next year.”
In the men’s 5k division, Jibri Bond, son of alumna Bonita Farrow Gibson ‘73 and alumnus Dane Bond, finished in first place with a time of 23:36, followed by Charles Owens ‘10 and Matthew D’Ulisse.
In the women’s 5k division, Kyra Gordon, daughter of Cheyney alumna Gaynelle Turner-Lewis ‘73, finished in first place with a time of 24:37, followed by Marquita DeVane and Kelly Hart. Kyle Gordon, a nine-year-old training to participate in his first track meet finished in first place for the children’s one mile fun run, followed by Azeeza and Asiani Edwards-Owens. Denise Swann ‘76 and Brianna Henderson ‘16 tied for first place and the title of “Fastest Walker” in the one mile. Additional race results can be found on the Chester County Running Store website by clicking here.
The Cheyney C Club 5K Run & Health Education Fair was sponsored in part by The Cheyney Foundation, Lexus of Cherry Hill NJ, Subway, the Friends of the Delaware County Women’s Commission and many other individual and community supporters.
Since 2008, The C Club has donated more than $220,000 in support of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s 10 varsity sports teams, cheerleading squad and University band. English major Daivona Williams ’17 is a member of the Women’s Track and Field Team and a C Club scholarship recipient. Williams shared how her scholarship has really impacted her college experience.
“Thanks to the gracious C Club donors, I have been able to continue in the pursuit of my degree with only a couple of small loans. I have the opportunity to do what I love, which is running, and get a great affordable education here at Cheyney University,” said Williams.
Events like the 5k Run and Health Education Fair allow The Cheyney C Club to provide student-athletes like Williams with the financial support they need to complete their undergraduate degree programs at Cheyney.
Anyone interested in learning more about The Cheyney C Club, its upcoming events, membership benefits, or the C Club Scholarship Fund can visit CheyneyCClub.com or email CClubCU@gmail.com.
Photos by Craig’s Images Photography.