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10th Annual Maka Maka set for Thursday

Maka Maka Logo 2013
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When Maui Jim first proposed the Maka Maka Fun Run/Walk as a fund raising event for Peoria Friendship House the organizers estimated it would become a $25,000 event.

"We were thrilled with the $4,000 raised the first year. We couldn't fathom $25,000," said Laura Clark, vice president and chief administrative officer for Peoria Friendship House. "So when we hit $50,000 last year, we were speechless."

The 10th annual Maka Maka will be run and walked this Thursday, Aug. 15, with the start and finish at Maui Jim headquarters in Peoria. The event, a three-mile run and 1.5-mile walk, starts at 6 p.m.

Advance registration, which costs $40 and can be done online at www.active.com, closes at 11:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14. There also is a post-race celebration, with food, drink and music.

Maui Jim first proposed Maka Maka because it wanted to do something with a not-for-profit agency to give back to the community. The company contacted the Heart of Illinois United Way for suggestions and from among those connected with Friendship House, Clark said.

"It has been a wonderful association for us. It is without question our biggest fundraiser of the year," she said. "It has been rewarding to watch Maka Maka evolve into the event it is today."

Since Peoria Friendship House opened in 1951 it 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, Peoria Friendship House offers the hope of a new start to the least, the last and the lost.

"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," Clark said.

For Maui Jim the event offers the community with a fun way to stay in shape, while raising money and awareness for the Peoria Friendship House.

"We are proud to be associated with the Friendship House and host the Maka Maka run at Maui Jim," said Alicia Wroblewski, event direct and sponsorship specialist 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."

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. 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 Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Maui Jim's headquarters at One Aloha Lane.

For further information on Friendship House programs call 309-671-5200 or visit our website at www.peoriafriendshiphouse.org. Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is proud to be a Heart of Illinois United Way Community Partner.

About the Author
Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).