Student-organized 5k giving back to local nature charity
As the fall semester begins, many exciting involvement opportunities are happening for USU students on and off campus. USU sophomore Joshua Davis has decided to organize his own event: a 5k with a portion of the proceeds going to the Stokes Nature Center.
“The Stokes Nature Center is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide nature education and outdoor exploration of our natural world,” said Kendra Penry, executive director of the Stokes Nature Center. “We have been working in Cache Valley for 26 years because we believe nature is for everyone.”
Davis decided to organize a 5k because of his own dedication. “I’m a super passionate runner myself.”
“I love the racing community,” Davis said. “It just brings people together.”
The company Run Aspired, founded by Davis, is hosting the 5k on Sept. 30. “The word ‘aspire’ just means to rise high or to tower, and that’s kind of the goal with this 5k,” Davis said.
When selecting a charity to donate to, Davis leaned toward local charities to help people feel like they were impacting their own community. He chose the Stokes Nature Center, located in Logan.
“The Stokes Nature Center is really helping people to recognize the greatness that the outdoors brings,” Davis said.
The Stokes Nature Center heavily focuses on educating people on how to preserve and restore nature. “Our rising generations will have that education so that we can have the outdoors for future generations,” Davis said.
Penry said the Stokes Nature Center was happily surprised with Davis’ decision to choose them. “We are thrilled to be part of the 5k and look forward to a really fun day,” she said.
The Stokes Nature Center’s mission of preserving and restoring the outdoors links to athletes, such as runners, who want to be able to continue doing what they love. “They understand the importance of our mission,” Penry said.
Run Aspired’s 5k is open to everyone. “I’ve been working to really just bring together the student community and then the local community,” Davis said. “I just want to see all those goals that people will be able to accomplish and that community that will be cheering them on along the way.”
Davis believes that the event will be worthwhile even for those not participating in the 5k. “We’ll have some raffle drawings there,” he said. “And me personally, as a student, I’m always chasing after that free stuff.”
There are numerous ways for USU students to be involved with the Stokes Nature Center outside of the 5k.
“Our nature center is staffed by volunteers which is a fun way to serve our community,” Penry said. They’re always looking for individuals who want to spend a couple hours and help people discover their love for nature.
“We have free programs as well as low cost events that all people are welcome to,” Penry said. “There are so many ways to get involved.”
As the event is nearing, Davis is looking forward to people’s enthusiasm toward the 5k. “I’m just excited to see the community come together,” he said.
For more information on the Run Aspired 5k and registration, visit werunaspired.com.
To learn more about the Stokes Nature Center and how to get involved, visit logannature.org.