GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The impact of an area marathon is being felt throughout the community.
The Cellcom Green Bay Marathon returned to an in-person event in May and raised thousands of dollars for area nonprofits.
On Tuesday, marathon organizers awarded a total of $100,000 to its charity partners Greater Green Bay YMCA and New Community Shelter.
The New Community Shelter says it will use the money to support a community meal program and the YMCA will support community health programs for community members with cancer, Parkinson’s, high blood pressure and more.
Kris Olson, director of development at the New Community Shelter say the amount of money her organization received was mind-blowing.
“Back in the day when we were involved years ago, I mean $3,00, $5,000, was what we got and of course the marathon was just starting, so to see six figures is pretty amazing and I’m just so thankful to be a part of the Cellcom team,” Olson recalls.
Since the marathon’s inception in 2000, the event has donated more than $1.7 million to 24 local charity partners. This year’s donation includes a $10,000 matching gift from CoBank’s Sharing Success program.
The Mary Poppele Award, given to the top fundraiser, was also presented Tuesday. Recipient Katie Fichtenbauer raised $355 through the Run for a Reason program. The award is given in memory of Mary Poppele, an avid marathon fundraiser, who passed away in April 2004 while training for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.
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