Stride to Serve 5k-ish and volunteering event

Stride to Serve is a simple idea: move your body, meet good people, and serve our community.

We’ll start with yard cleanup for two seniors through our partner Senior Community Services, then have a 35-minute run or walk and then celebrate.

No special skills required—just show up ready to move and help out.

Limit of 20, register if you’re attending!

What We’ll Do

1. Meet & Quick Welcome: Brief introduction to the day’s plan. We’ll meet at Junction Park.

2. Serve Together: We’ll split into two groups to tackle the yard cleanup. Each project is about half a mile from the park.

3. After helping out our senior neighbors, we’ll reconvene at Hilltop Park in Hopkins for a brief intro to the run/walk and warm-up.

4. 5k-ish Run or Walk: Run, jog, or walk at your own pace on a half mile-ish out and back course on the LRT - three trips is a 5k but go as far as you want, as fast as you want, you've got 35 minutes. No pace or distance is wrong! The out and back means you'll spend time with other participants no matter what pace you choose.

This is not a race! We will not time you or track how far you go. If you’re happy, we’re happy!

5. Wrap-Up & Connect: If you’d like, take some time to relax, meet people, play some easy, casual games and celebrate a job well done. For those who are interested, we'll convene at LTD Brewing in Hopkins, or enjoy Hopkins’ Mainstreet Day Arts & Craft Fair, which runs until 4:00.

Who Should Come?

* Runners and walkers of all levels

* People who enjoy volunteering

* Anyone who wants to meet neighbors and spend time outdoors

* Families and friends who want to do something positive together

* Kids are welcome, it’s a great way to have fun and help others together. Kids under 14 must be supervised by an adult.

* Come alone or come with others, either way you’ll have fun and connect

Sign Up

Participation is free, but please sign up so we know how many people to expect.

What to Bring

Please bring a few simple things to make the event easier and safer:

* Work gloves

* Rakes or other light yard tools

* Running or walking shoes for the run and appropriate work shoes or boots for the service activity

* Weather-appropriate clothing

* Water bottle

* Positive attitude and willingness to help

If you have extra gloves or rakes, feel free to bring them for others to borrow!

We will have beverages and snacks.

Why Stride to Serve With Us?

We believe the best community events combine three things:

🏃 **Movement** – Exercise that feels good

🤝 **Connection** – Meeting people who care about the community

🌱 **Service** – Doing something tangible that improves kids’ lives

Sign Up

Participation is free, but please sign up so we know how many people to expect.