Trinity Services 5K Race Raises $10K

The annual Trinity Services Triumph 5K Run/Walk Saturday drew a crowd that beat a path around the 5K route in New Lenox, raising more than $10,000 to support the multiple programs for people with disabilities.

Sherry Ladislas, development director, greeted runners and their families and shot more than a 1,000 photos of people, many of whom ran for loved ones dependent on the services that the non-profit organization provides for children and adults throughout the region.

"We were thrilled with the terrific turnout. The skies looked pretty threatening, but the clouds never opened up on us, making for a particularly humid day. Despite that, everyone had a great time. Runners, walkers, and their supporters enjoyed the race, the Strut Your Mutt contest, and listening to the band, the Regressors.

"I can't thank our sponsors and the folks at the Village of New Lenox enough for all they did to support this event.  We are so blessed that so many people shared their celebrations and triumphs with us. They are an inspiration to us all," said Ladislas.

Running for personal reasons:

For Joliet's Steve McGraw, this race was run for his son, 8-year-old Connor McGraw. "I don't know what we'd do without the services they provide. Connor, who is autistic, attends school at Trinity Services in New Lenox. "He's 100 percent non-verbal," said his dad.

While walking the final leg of the race that stepped off at 9 a.m., Tara Lynn Bingham, of New Lenox, said she and other members of her New Lenox Weight Watchers group saw the race as a reason to celebrate their triumphs. "My goal is to do the 1K, and then I walk around the (Village Commons) to get to two miles."

With an initial goal of losing 90 pounds, she's almost there. "I've lost 87 pounds so far." Certainly Bingham could join in any of the 5K races over the summer in the region, but Trinity Services has a special significance. "I have a special needs sister-in-law in New York. She came here to stay after Hurricane Sandy." Speaking of fundraising for Trinity Services, she said, "The race is for a good cause."

For the Lyons Family, the race was a chance to get out in the fresh air and enjoy some healthy exercise. Crossing the finish line, Terry Lyons, of New Lenox, received some loud applause from her children and friends.

A father-son duo from New Lenox saw the race as a chance to enjoy the hobby they share. While the elder Trost, Tom, has been running since he was a kid in high school, this was the first time that he shared in an event with his 12-year-old son Ethan Trost. An in-coming 7th grader at Liberty Junior High School in New Lenox, Ethan has been running for the past 18 months.

In the Trinity Services race, everyone runs the route at the same time. "It's a good cause," added Tom Trost.

Other runners came from Sugar Grove, Plainfield, Manhattan, Glen Ellyn, Calumet City, Crest Hill, Homer Glen, Tinley Park and other communities from around Chicagoland. They shared the same sentiment—it was for a good cause.  

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