Atlanta couldn’t have been any safer with dozens of superheroes running for a cause on Oct. 8.
The Alpha Omega campus ministry hosted the third annual “Superheroes for Orphans 5K Run/Walk” to raise money for orphans in Africa. Decked out in their superhero t-shirts and costumes, groups made their way to the starting line at the Georgia Tech green.
Runners and walkers paid $25 to participate in the 5K, and the money goes toward supplies and resources the orphans may need in Africa.
“The money is being raised for an organization called Hope Worldwide,” said Brianne Broyles, who is involved in the Alpha Omega campus ministry. “Financial support will help provide food, educational materials, health care, staff training, capacity building and program development for these child-focused programs in Africa.”
Mark Ottenweller, the director of development for Hope Worldwide, lived in Africa for 18 years. During his time there, he helped boys and girls get access to resources such as food, water, books and immunizations.
“We wanted to help orphans,” Ottenweller said. “It changes their lives forever.”
Hope Worldwide has worked with the children in Africa for 20 years, but the number of orphans has increased due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
While superheroes today are pop culture icons, there is a deeper reason behind why a superhero theme was chosen for the fundraiser.
“Someone realized that all the superheroes were orphans,” Ottenweller said. “I ask people ‘what do Superman, Batman, and Spiderman have in common?’ They’re all orphans, so this is ‘Superheroes for Orphans.'”
The children in Africa will receive pictures of their sponsors, and it makes it more fun for the children when the participants dress up.
“It’s great when everyone comes together for a great cause,” said Armesa Battle, a KSU alumnus. “In the Alpha Omega campus ministry, we went around campus spreading the word of God.”
The Alpha Omega campus ministry has about 50 students who consistently participate in weekly activities.
KSU students involved in the Alpha Omega ministry have raised money all month.
“[On] Friday, me and some friends were on The Green, and we sold some things,” said Stacey Sadoff, a sophomore psychology major. “We were out asking for money, if students wanted to donate, and we raised $200.”
The fundraisers also included numerous bake sales around campus.
“Our theme this year is ‘what matters most,’ and it’s a theme for everything that’s going on in the world or the stress of school,” said senior hospitality major Redessa Carreker. “It stresses to keep a good relationship with God.”
