Shout Out to the Shufflers

We recently had our annual Snowball Shuffle run/walk event earlier this month. This is a very fun, family event with the run/walk, plus we have s’mores and hot chocolate at the end - and also great raffle items to bid on.

We got lucky the first two years with dry days. This third year though the weather was not on our side. If you were there, you know: it was a chilly 38 degrees with a constant cold drizzle. As I was with our (AMAZING) CTC team setting up, we all looked at each other and thought (and muttered), “Who is going to come out and run in this today?”  We started guessing how many people would show up out of the 200 or so registrants and let’s just say, we set our expectations low. 

Then the DJ (shout out to Kyle!) showed up and started playing music under his tent. He played many songs about rain fittingly and we couldn’t help but laugh. Then our first runner showed up to check in at registration. We all thanked him for coming out on such a dreadful day. Then another person showed up… and another and another. We all looked at each other in disbelief.

We kicked off the race and about 100 people or so took off from the start. ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE! By the end, everyone was happy to sip hot chocolate and stand by the s’mores fire pit (or under a tent haha!). Again, we endlessly thanked everyone for coming–including all of the amazing volunteers and sponsors who had on their rain ponchos and were in such good spirits all morning.

This year’s event really showed us how lucky we are to serve an amazing community that has our back. Sometimes it can feel like no one is tuned in to this work or doesn’t have time for this whole prevention thing, and then they surprise you. We really did feel the love at the Snowball Shuffle a few weeks ago and despite the bad weather, it was a really fun morning! We appreciate everyone who came to walk and run with us and to show their support for the work CTC does in the community to promote empowering our youth and families to make positive choices. You were there for us and we will continue to be there for you!