From Key to Shining Key: KB Lighthouse Run participants donate sneakers for homeless and struggling families in the Keys on race day

(L to R) Lighthouse Run MC Geno Marron and organizer Marco Gomez ran the race despite not being able to participate as runners. (Melissa White via Key News)

BY RAQUEL GARCIA Key News Contributor

Neither rain nor injuries could slow down the 42^nd Annual Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run and Walk from having another banner year.

Although race organizer Marco Gomez and event master of ceremonies Geno Marron each had their own set of crutches to lean on as they volunteered Saturday amid threatening skies; the rain fell later, and the community broke a new record for generous contributions.

“The weather was perfect for running on Saturday,” said parks and recreation director, Todd Hofferberth.

“We need more Key Biscayners to join us next year. Congratulations to MAST Academy for winning the Jim Brewster Memorial Team Award.”

On the eve of the race as organizers worked behind the scenes, a sign on West Mashta and Allendale announced the next day’s event. (Key News/Raquel Garcia)

Beyond the local charities that manage the race and in turn receive donations from its proceeds, the longest-running consecutive race in Florida history extended its philanthropic gait this year to reach the shores of the Florida Keys.

A last minute call-out for runners to give away gently-used sneakers to those in need in the Keys was well received by participating athletes. Two large boxes of shoes are heading to the offices of Keys Area Interdenominational Resources (KAIR) – a nonprofit organization located at 3010 Overseas Highway in Marathon that helps families in crisis – to be distributed later this week.

“This new cause is one we are happy to participate in as it matches the spirit of the Lighthouse Run,” said Gomez.

“Melissa White, Todd Hofferberth and I are the race organizers and we distribute all proceeds from the race to Key Biscayne charities. They in turn send hundreds of volunteers to make sure all logistics and what would be race day expenses to manage the race are covered. From water distribution to the awarding of medals at the after-party.”

It was around the eve of the Lighthouse Run when Gomez found out that area runners from the Fun Run in South Miami organized by Laurie Huseby of Footworks would be donating used sneakers to help homeless and struggling families in the Florida Keys.

Marathon resident and runner Jackie Ford Sparber was the go-between volunteer who put everybody together and is transporting the shoes to the Keys.

Gomez moved swiftly to include Key Biscayne after finding out about the efforts. He sent a message out the night before the race to enlisted participants – as the next day runners were likely carb-loading on pasta – looking for shoe contributors.

Serious runners often switch out and toss their training shoes, many of which are still in great condition, for a new race day pair. This is a way to recycle sneakers and give back to the community.

Donated sneakers in Jackie Ford Sparber’s SUV on their way to the Keys. (Key News/Raquel Garcia)

“The Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run is proud to support the work of KAIR Keys through the donation of gently worn sneakers,” said Melissa White, executive director of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation and chief sponsor of the Lighthouse Run.

“KAIR helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness or transitioning out of homelessness on a variety of levels. From one key to another we are proud to support people that are giving to causes that matter.”

KAIR began its work in 1998 when local houses of worship came together to have one central point to support the homeless and hungry of their community. Today they distribute 30,000 pounds of food monthly as a partner with Feeding South Florida and Farm Share, as well as Keys-area Winn-Dixie and Publix (each donating fresh produce).

“We suffered a lot when Hurricane Irma came through,” said KAIR executive director, Marge Roberts.

“We are so grateful that people from outside of the Keys remember us. We have a lot of workers and service workers and it’s wonderful that Key Biscayne is reaching out and supporting us.”

Roberts also said they educate communities on how some families can become one lost job or one divorce away from the slippery slope of vanishing resources to stay sheltered and fed. If a charter boat is not heading out on the water for a week, she shared as an example, it can mean the difference to their crew as to whether or not they can make ends meet.

“We are the only organization in the Middle Keys where you can go for help with food, rent, and utilities. We have a mail drop off for people who live on boats.

We do bike repairs, give gift certificates…anything and everything you can think of that will help people sustain themselves in the community to keep working and living here,” said Roberts.

Gomez has committed to maintaining and expanding this new tradition to help area homeless and struggling families with gently used sneakers from runners as part of the Lighthouse Run continuing legacy; in addition to the thousands of dollars collected to support local charities.

He said nearly 1,000 runners and walkers participated in Saturday’s race, about 200 or 40 percent of which were children. Last year they raised over $11,000 that went to eleven charities.

“It is a beautiful day about community and giving back on the Key…where else will kids be happy to get up at 6am to go run in the park with family and friends?”

The 42^nd Annual Lighthouse Run would like to thank these local charity volunteers:

• Elaine Gross and her team representing the Eileen McCaughan Scholarship Fund managing packet pick up.
• Monica Larriva and the MAST Academy Athletic Booster Club for distributing bagels, oranges, and bananas to all the runners.
• Chelsea Shepherd and the MAST Academy Junior Honor Society for helping Michael Holmquist with the Awards Ceremony.
• Tonya Harbour and Anne Rothe along with their team from the Key Biscayne Presbyterian School for distributing water at the water station at The Towers.
• Rosa Kemper and her team representing the Dr. Robert Kemper Award Fund for distributing water at the Mashta Circle water station.
• Rik and Debbie Wanninkhof and their Patrick-Rides-On Team for distributing water at the Boater’s Grill water station.
• Susan Scholz-Rubin and her volunteers representing the Michael Scholz Memorial Fund for distributing water at the Finish Line.
• Winnie Pritchett and Amy Zambrano along with their team representing iPads for Soldiers that will be handing out medals at the Finish Line.
• Marcelo Di Cugno and Gonzalo Cortarrabia and the KB Rugby Rats for helping with parking duties on race morning.
• Jackie Gross-Kellogg and the KB Soccer Team volunteers for helping with directionals on the course.

To find out more about helping the homeless in the Keys visit: kaironline.org.