Picnic to benefit Habitat for Humanity

A fun-filled, "down home" Fourth of July celebration designed to bring the community together while also supporting Habitat for Humanity will take place in Creekside City Park from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Independence Day.

In addition to the picnic time, the first annual "Recycle Run" featuring both a five-kilometer and eight-kilometer run/walk will take place earlier in the morning from Sisters Athletic Club, ending at the picnic site in the park. The Recycle Run is open to all ages and is designed for everyone from casual walkers to competitive racers.

"In the past few years, Sisters really hasn't had a Fourth of July event, so volunteers involved in supporting Habitat wanted to provide the community with a family-oriented gathering that everyone can enjoy," said Julia Rickards, whose daughter Jena is the race director for the Recycle Run.

Activities include games like sack races and other contests, live music, a silent auction and more. Local artists are using some "recycled" material from the Habitat Re-Store to create artwork for bid in the silent auction. Vendors will be available selling lemonade and cotton candy in addition to very affordable hamburgers and hot dogs.

Volunteers have developed the slogan for the event: "Be one of us," which encourages everyone to join forces in the good work that Habitat for Humanity is doing in Sisters. Currently the local chapter has plans to build three homes in the upcoming year for local families and have funding for about 2.5, according to Rickards.

"We would like people to come to the free celebration and consider making a donation of $10 toward Habitat's goal," she said. "If 100 of 'Us' contribute 10 bucks each, that community of donors will be counted as a group sponsor just like the businesses and individuals who contribute $1,000 each as sponsor donors."

"Picnic in the Park" donation forms for benefiting Habitat for Humanity are available at Clearwater Gallery as well at both Habit for Humanity stores in Sisters.

The run/walk will incorporate the Sisters Trail system for both the five-kilometer and eight-kilometer courses. Proceeds from the Recycle Run will also benefit Habitat for Humanity. Recycled T-shirts will be awarded to all entrants and prizes, including a Polar heart race monitor, will be given away in a drawing at the conclusion of the races.

Entry forms are available at both Habitat stores and at Sisters Athletic Club or by e-mailing [email protected] or [email protected] Race day registration will begin at 7:20 a.m. with the first race beginning at 8 a.m.

The event already has support from the City of Sisters through a community grant, as well as the Sisters chapter of the Central Oregon Realtor's Association, in addition to many individuals and the Habitat for Humanity board.

"We hope that we can make this an annual event for locals and visitors to look forward to each year," said Rickards.