Today's guest blog comes from Abena Patton, Manager of Special Events and Web Communications for the Downers Grove Campus. Abena and her daughter Damia volunteered at this year's annual Groovin' in the Grove 5K Race on Mother's Day. Here is her insights into the popular campus event:

Last Saturday was the 18th Annual Groovin' in the Grove 5K Run & Fun Walk and the first year I decided to volunteer with the set-up. More than 30 current MWU students and faculty helped with a variety of tasks, including setting up, staffing registration, hosting face painting for children, and cheering on over 300 runners.

This annual race is sponsored by the MWU Sports Medicine Club to benefit DuPage PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) for homeless individuals & families in DuPage County. It is a great family event held during Mother's Day weekend that benefits a very worthwhile cause.

In fact, I volunteered at this even with my own five-year-old daughter. She and I had a great time passing the t-shirts and bags to the Lil Groovers (children 10 years and younger). There was a lot of entertainment for the kids, who enjoyed the face painting area and the ever-present Moonwalk jumping thingie that is at every kid's party imaginable. It was great.



Photo: Damia Patton and Dr. G

Many runners were offered osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) by current OMM fellows after their run. A physical therapy group was present also to perform proper pre- and post-run stretching.



Photo: MWU students provide OMM treatments to participants

Awards for Top Mom & Top 3 Male and Female Runners were announced at the end of the race. As a special Mother's Day gift, each woman was presented with a flower by Dr. G as they crossed the finish line.



Photo: Dr. G and student volunteers pass out Mother's Day flowers to the runners.

I wished I would have volunteered years ago, but I think I am going to take a bigger leap and actually run next year.

Abena: We're gonna hold you to that pledge!