In Hawaiian, “maka maka” means “friend.” At Maui Jim Sunglasses, it means a 3-mile fun run and 1.5-mile walk to benefit the Peoria Friendship House. Businesses and individuals in Central Illinois are invited to join Maui Jim Sunglasses and the Peoria Friendship House employees for the 10th Annual Maui Jim Maka Maka Fun Run/Walk. The Maka Maka Run/Walk will be held at Maui Jim’s world headquarters in beautiful tropical Peoria, Illinois on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. Immediately, following the fun run will be a post-race celebration, including Double A’s pizza, refreshments and a performance by the band, Mike and Joe.
This event offers the community with a fun way to stay in shape, while raising money and awareness for the Peoria Friendship House.
Alicia Wroblewski, Event Director and Sponsorship Specialist at Maui Jim stated, “We are proud to be associated with the Friendship House and host the Maka Maka run at Maui Jim. We enjoy helping our local partners in any way we can. We have seen more and more support over the years for this event; and we know this year will be no exception.”
Since Peoria Friendship House was launched in 1951 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the organization has provided services to more than 250,000 of Peoria’s most vulnerable and at risk individuals and families. Through the simple gesture of a free meal, a clean shirt or a safe place to learn, the Peoria Friendship House offers the hope of a new start to the least, the last and the lost.
“For the past ten years Friendship House has been honored to partner with Maui Jim for the Maka Maka Fun Run/Walk. We are so grateful for the compassion and commitment of Maui Jim and its employees. The Maka Maka is without a doubt our largest fundraiser of the year. It has been so rewarding to watch the Maka Maka evolve into the event it is today,” says Laura Clark, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Peoria Friendship House. “It has been even more rewarding to have worked alongside various Maui Jim employees throughout the years and to have witnessed their dedication to the Maka Maka, their community and the mission of Friendship House. The support of the community, the growing number of individuals and families willing to support Friendship House in the heat or in the rain, has also been truly inspiring. The Maka Maka Fun Run/Walk has helped Friendship House make a difference in the lives of so many people in need.”
In addition to the money raised by the race entrants, the “Friends Helping Friends” fundraiser is an opportunity for individuals in the community to raise funds by contacting family, friends and co-workers to raise an additional $250 or $500 for the Friendship House and receive a free pair of sunglasses.
Participants can register for the 3 mile run or 1.5 mile walk and obtain Friends Helping Friends information at http://tinyurl.com/makamaka2013. Registration is $40 until race day. For those interested who would still like to support the Friendship House but do not want to walk/run a $15 donation is appreciated for the post-race party.
Packet Pick-Up will be on Tuesday, August 13th and Wednesday, August 14th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and Thursday, August 15th Race Day from 4:00pm to 5:30pm at Maui Jim’s Headquarters at One Aloha Lane in Peoria, Illinois.
The Peoria Friendship House says “Mahalo!” (thank you) to their friends who support the Maka Maka. For details on Maka Maka race, please contact Race Director, Alicia Wroblewski at awroblewski@mauijim.com or (309) 222-7088.
WHAT: 10th Annual Maui Jim MakaMaka Fun Run/Walk for Friendship House
WHO: Businesses, individuals and member of the Central Illinois community who want to make a difference at the Peoria Friendship House
WHEN: August 15, 2013 6pm – 10pm
WHERE: Maui Jim Inc. World Headquarters, One Aloha Lane, Peoria, IL 61615
Rain Location: Finish Line Ford: Peoria, Illinois
For Race and Event Details visit http://tinyurl.com/makamaka2013