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    Some 500 runners and walkers took part in the first Race for Maggie’s Place Nov. 16

After reaching at least double, if not triple the number of targeted runners/walkers in the first Race for Maggie’s Place, staff members are calling the fundraising venture a success.

I haven’t heard official numbers yet, but one organizer said over 500 and another guessed 600 people laced up their running shoes Nov. 16 for a 3k walk or 9k run around Kiwanis Park in Tempe.

Multiply that by $20 for the registration fee and that equals at least $10,000. That money and the in-kind donations dropped off near registration will go a long way in supporting pregnant moms and their newborns on their journey to self-sufficiency.

People of all ages turned out for the event including dozens of kids in strollers.

The race management company only tracked the ages and times of the runners, however. Men, women and children ages 10 to 78 circled the lake and playing fields three times to complete the 9k.

Congratulations to Bill Marcotte,  coordinator of youth and young adult evangelization for the diocese. He lapped me twice as I strolled the path alongside a toddler pushing a doll stroller. Marcotte came in 4th in his age group with a time of 42:10.5.

I also noticed in the results that Mike Santoro, who once served as intern at the All Saints Newman Center in Tempe and dedicated a year of service at Andre House, ran the race. He completed it in 1:10:55.0.

Athletic-minded students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Tempe read my article promoting the race and 25 of them, ages 4 to 11, signed up for the 300-meter Kid’s Dash. At least a handful of their parents ran the race while others walked. Some of the young runners also brought a gift for one of the Maggie’s Place homes.  The entire school will deliver hundreds of diapers to Maggie’s Place next month and the parish holds a monthly collection for the moms’ current needs. 

Maggie’s Place operates three houses of hospitality in the Valley:

• Magdalene House, Phoenix — currently has 5 babies and 8 moms
• Elizabeth House, Tempe — (currently full) 6 moms and 2 babies…both girls
• Michael House, Glendale — 7 moms and 3 babies

Staff members who once worked at one of the Valley homes felt called to open a fourth in Idaho. Their dreams became a reality Oct. 27 and they already welcomed two moms. Download the article from the local paper.

I found out during side conversations at the race that Maggie’s Place just committed to opening a fifth in Cleveland, Ohio. Before you know it, the ninth will be opening, one house to represent each month of pregnancy.