Community Challenge raises $17,000-plus for Salvation Army

For the second year in a row, Penn College won the Community Cup at Saturday’s Community Challenge. Better news: the event raised over $17,000 to benefit the Salvation Army of Williamsport. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Community Challenge goes directly to the local Salvation Army’s efforts to aid approximately 400 families a month in Lycoming County. Held on the Williamsport Water Authority’s watershed outside DuBoistown, the Community Challenge featured 5K, 10K and half-marathon trail races, with 265 competitors finishing. Penn College’s 45-member team of runners, walkers and volunteers – including students, employees and family members – was enough people power to secure the Community Cup, a traveling trophy presented to the organization with the greatest participation. “It was an exhausting and wonderful weekend,” said Michael J. Reed, an active event organizer who also serves as dean of the college’s School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications and vice chairman and chair of PR/special events for the Salvation Army of Williamsport’s Board of Directors. Also at the Community Challenge, a Salvation Army truck was on site to collect gently used winter coats, hats and gloves. For the second year, Penn College ceramics instructors David A. and Deborah L. Stabley crafted Community Challenge race awards in the form of ceramic trophies and holiday ornaments.
Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer