Members of the Long Beach running community are lacing up their shoes in preparation for this Sunday’s Run for Ukraine, which will raise money for the country’s humanitarian needs amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

Sara O’Connor watched the devastating news unfold from her TV screen and knew she wanted to gather her community to help in a meaningful way. “Being a part of this community is such a privilege, and I’m hoping to harness that community support for the Ukrainians in their moment of need,” she wrote. O’Connor, who has lived in Long Beach for nearly five years, combined her love for running with her desire to provide aid to the Ukrainian community.

Registration is currently open for the 5k, as well as a 1-mile kids run, that will both take place this Sunday, March 27. Runners will meet at 5500 East Ocean Blvd. at 8:15 a.m. to check in and prepare for the race at 9:05 a.m. The event will begin with a moment of silence for those who have died in Ukraine.

O’Connor made sure that registration was simple and flexible to be inclusive to anyone looking to join and help. The registration form suggests donating $25 for adults, $15 for students, and $5 for kids ages 12 and under, but O’Connor made it clear that folks can donate what they are comfortable with and still participate. To register, community members must provide a screenshot of a donation they have made to one of three organizations that O’Connor has vetted for legitimacy.

The organizations are:

• CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund, which is providing food, water, hygiene kits and cash assistance to Ukrainian families;
• Voices of Children, a Ukrainian organization providing psychological and social support to Ukrainian children traumatized by war; and
• Sunflower of Peace, an organization providing first-aid supplies for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.

“I think that collective processing and healing is part of what makes us human,” said O’Connor. In order to prepare for a successful event, O’Connor reached out to Long Beach community organizer Justin Rudd, who put her in contact with members of the city that helped her obtain the proper permits and insurance.

“This has reminded me why I love this place so much,” said O’Connor. “Even though we’ve all been home for a few years, as soon as you reach out to people, they come through. It was really beautiful to experience that.”

Registration is open at this link until 11:59 p.m. March 24.

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