Hot Cocoa Run - Lou Gehrig's ALS
Tax deductible
www.hotcocoarun.org
Message from the Organizer:
The Hot Cocoa Run (HCR) is a small "grassroots" event which started in 2007. Hosted in New Rochelle NY, it includes a 5k Run or Walks, a 10k Run, and as of 2014, a 1mi fun Family Frolic/Dog Walk to compliment this as a family and pet-friendly event. Participants are served hot cocoa post-race which is brewed in a cast iron cauldron over an open fire, while everyone is along the course running.
The first ever race was held with just 10 friends, doing a self-timed winter run as a fundraiser for Lymphoma Society (LLS) Team in Training (TNT) and Friends of Claire. Most of us had met years back through the LLS/TNT program. I joined TNT in 1999 to do the the Marine Corps Marathon, then continued as a fundraising mentor and triathlon coach for over 12 years through 2012. In 2000, I met Phil Gormley who had started TNT's Triathlon program. I mentored and coached alongside Phil all while raising money to battle leukemia and lymphoma. In 2004, Phil's sister Claire was diagnosed with ALS. Her family established Friends of Claire(FoC) to help spread awareness, research and advocating for medical needs. As a FoC'er, I supported various ALS fundraising events while still supporting LLS/TNT. In 2007, I launched the Hot Chocolate Run (as it was originally called) as a fundraiser for both charities. In May 2009, Claire Gormley Collier lost her battle with ALS 5 short years after her diagnosis. Friends of Claire became MAC Angels. It seemed very clear to me to organize and host a 2nd Hot Chocolate Run in 2009. I originally planned to host it every two years due to how much effort and work is involved plus I was still coaching, fundraising and competing for TNT not to mention having a full-time job and family responsibilities. I resigned from coaching in 2012 and made the HCR an annual event with its proceeds exclusively going to MAC Angels. I had the opportunity to coach the owner of Zachy's Wines through TNT and as a result they have been a sponsor since 2009. My friends and co-workers volunteer for this race including dressing up as Frosty, manning the intersections, stirring the hot cocoa, handmaking signage AND the commemorative race gift which, in the early years were Christmas tree ornaments. All this to ensure the bulk of the money gets to MAC Angels. The race has grown and evolved since 2007. The 1st event raised $111 for ALS; last year over $20,000 was raised!
For 9 years this event has started and finished right out of my driveway. In 2015 we had our first four-legged furry friends compete; in 2016 we graduated to "RFID" timing; in 2017 we had a vendor "expo" at check-in; Now in 2018, we are celebrating our 10th year! Ward Elementary Scholl will be our host site.
Although we traditionally recycle bib numbers, this year we will have custom 10th Anniversary bibs! Signage, banners and other race essentials will still be recycled to still strictly manage the event staying under 10% on expenses - 90% of registration fees and 100% of donations go directly to MAC Angels to help families battling ALS.
Friends, family and personal time, money and efforts are what pull this race together. Recognize that there may not be a lot of bells and whistles ( we promise some in 2018), but a lot of time, care and attention go into this event to ensure everyone is safe and enjoys, but the money that each of you put out goes right to the cause. Registration fees generate the majority of the funds raised. This is a growing event, that is tons of fun, really touches your heart and shows how just a small group of friends can make such a big difference to help others. Every year we get a little better but we aim a lot higher. I am setting the 2018 goal to $18,000.
Message from the Organizer:
The Hot Cocoa Run (HCR) is a small "grassroots" event which started in 2007. Hosted in New Rochelle NY, it includes a 5k Run or Walks, a 10k Run, and as of 2014, a 1mi fun Family Frolic/Dog Walk to compliment this as a family and pet-friendly event. Participants are served hot cocoa post-race which is brewed in a cast iron cauldron over an open fire, while everyone is along the course running.
The first ever race was held with just 10 friends, doing a self-timed winter run as a fundraiser for Lymphoma Society (LLS) Team in Training (TNT) and Friends of Claire. Most of us had met years back through the LLS/TNT program. I joined TNT in 1999 to do the the Marine Corps Marathon, then continued as a fundraising mentor and triathlon coach for over 12 years through 2012. In 2000, I met Phil Gormley who had started TNT's Triathlon program. I mentored and coached alongside Phil all while raising money to battle leukemia and lymphoma. In 2004, Phil's sister Claire was diagnosed with ALS. Her family established Friends of Claire(FoC) to help spread awareness, research and advocating for medical needs. As a FoC'er, I supported various ALS fundraising events while still supporting LLS/TNT. In 2007, I launched the Hot Chocolate Run (as it was originally called) as a fundraiser for both charities. In May 2009, Claire Gormley Collier lost her battle with ALS 5 short years after her diagnosis. Friends of Claire became MAC Angels. It seemed very clear to me to organize and host a 2nd Hot Chocolate Run in 2009. I originally planned to host it every two years due to how much effort and work is involved plus I was still coaching, fundraising and competing for TNT not to mention having a full-time job and family responsibilities. I resigned from coaching in 2012 and made the HCR an annual event with its proceeds exclusively going to MAC Angels. I had the opportunity to coach the owner of Zachy's Wines through TNT and as a result they have been a sponsor since 2009. My friends and co-workers volunteer for this race including dressing up as Frosty, manning the intersections, stirring the hot cocoa, handmaking signage AND the commemorative race gift which, in the early years were Christmas tree ornaments. All this to ensure the bulk of the money gets to MAC Angels. The race has grown and evolved since 2007. The 1st event raised $111 for ALS; last year over $20,000 was raised!
For 9 years this event has started and finished right out of my driveway. In 2015 we had our first four-legged furry friends compete; in 2016 we graduated to "RFID" timing; in 2017 we had a vendor "expo" at check-in; Now in 2018, we are celebrating our 10th year! Ward Elementary Scholl will be our host site.
Although we traditionally recycle bib numbers, this year we will have custom 10th Anniversary bibs! Signage, banners and other race essentials will still be recycled to still strictly manage the event staying under 10% on expenses - 90% of registration fees and 100% of donations go directly to MAC Angels to help families battling ALS.
Friends, family and personal time, money and efforts are what pull this race together. Recognize that there may not be a lot of bells and whistles ( we promise some in 2018), but a lot of time, care and attention go into this event to ensure everyone is safe and enjoys, but the money that each of you put out goes right to the cause. Registration fees generate the majority of the funds raised. This is a growing event, that is tons of fun, really touches your heart and shows how just a small group of friends can make such a big difference to help others. Every year we get a little better but we aim a lot higher. I am setting the 2018 goal to $18,000.
Organizer
Ali Mohammed
Organizer
New Rochelle, NY
MAC Angels Foundation Inc
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
