THE PARKS FOUNDATION OF HENDRICKS COUNTY

EACH SUMMER, THE PARKS FOUNDATION OF HENDRICKS COUNTY HOSTS THE SUMMER FUN RUN & WALK SERIES, AN ANNUAL NON-COMPETITIVE AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY RUNNING/WALKING TOUR THROUGH 12 DIFFERENT PARKS AND TRAILS THROUGHOUT HENDRICKS COUNTY, INDIANA. GOALS:1. RAISE MONEY THROUGH SPONSORSHIP, REGISTRATION, AND INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS.2. ATTRACT 600+ INDIVIDUALS TO REGISTER AND ATTEND EVENT.STRATEGY:CREATE EXCITEMENT ABOUT OUTDOOR SPACES THROUGHOUT HENDRICKS COUNTY BY EXPOSING THE COMMUNITY TO DIFFERENT PARKS AND TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. PROVIDE EDUCATION ON HOW PARKS STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR MANY NEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO INFLUENCE RESIDENTS OF HENDRICKS COUNTY TO BECOME DONORS OF THE FOUNDATION. PROVIDE AN ACTIVITY THAT ENCOURAGES HEALTH AND WELLNESS.AUDIENCE:1. PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS2. EXISTING DONORS AND FRIENDS3. CORPORATE SPONSORS, THEIR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS4. HENDRICKS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS5. INDIVIDUALS WHO ENJOY PARKS AND/OR FAMILIES WITH CHILDRENFUNDS RAISED FROM THE SUMMER FUN RUN & WALK SERIES ARE USED TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO THE LOCAL PARK DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS SUCH AS MOBILITY WHEELCHAIRS, NATURE DISCOVERY CARTS, AND A NEW GLOW LAB.

IN 2024 PFOHC HOSTED ITS FIRST LUNCHEON CALLED PICNIC FOR THE PARKS. THIS EVENT WAS HELD AT THE HENDRICKS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS ON MARCH 5, 2024. OVER 300 PEOPLE ATTENDED. ATTENDEES LEARNED ABOUT ALL THE PARK DEPARTMENTS IN HENDRICKS COUNTY AND WHAT PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND AMENTITIES THEY EACH OFFER THE COMMUNITY. ATTENDEES ALSO ATE LUNCH WHILE LISTENING TO A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED VARIOUS SPEAKERS, VIDEOS AND AN AWARDS PRESENTATION. GOALS1. THIS EVENT WILL SERVE AS A FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY FOR PFOHC. FUNDS RAISED WILL ASSIST WITH THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND SUPPORT THE GARY EMSWELLER PARKS & TRAILS FUND. 2. THE EVENT WILL BUILD AWARENESS FOR THE MISSION OF PFOHC AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION. GUESTS AT THE EVENT WILL GAIN A STRONGER SENSE OF THE ROLE PFOHC PLAYS IN THE GROWTH AND LONGEVITY OF OUR PUBLIC PARKS AND TRAILS. 3. ATTENDEES WILL LEAVE THE EVENT HAVING A MUCH STRONGER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC PARKS AND TRAILS IN OUR COUNTY, THE AMENITIES THEY OFFER, AND THE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON A THRIVING COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY. 4. AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO PARKS AND TRAILS WILL BE RECOGNIZED WITH AN AWARD AT THE EVENT.5. HAVE FUN!TARGET AUDIENCES1. COMMUNITY LEADERSA. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY COUNCIL, TOWN COUNCILS, TOWN MANAGERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, PARK BOARD MEMBERS2. PFOHC DONORS3. POTENTIAL DONORS4. PAST AND CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS5. CHAMBER MEMBERS6. BUSINESS LEADERS7. NONPROFIT LEADERS8. COUNTY RESIDENTS