Miles of Smiles 5K to raise funds for SOAR scholarships

Image courtesy of Special Opportunities Available in Recreation 

NORMAL, Ill. – The Special Opportunities Available in Recreation program, also known as SOAR, will host its Miles of Smiles 5K and scholarship fundraiser on Saturday.

SOAR is a community therapeutic recreation program for individuals with disabilities ages 4 and older in the Bloomington area. Its programs focus on leisure, social and developmental skills, allowing participants to reach their full potential.

According to Holly Polley, SOAR program manager, the organization offers a variety of recreational programs, including life skills activities such as cooking and crafts, as well as community outings.

The 5K will raise money for SOAR’s scholarship program, which Polley said is very important to the organization and the community.

“We never want money to be a reason why someone doesn’t come to SOAR,” she said.

The scholarship program provides financial assistance to participants of all ages for various SOAR programs and experiences.

The 5K will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at White Oak Park in Bloomington.

The event will feature both a 5K and a noncompetitive 1.5-mile course, designed to be inclusive for all participants.

“We’re walking, we’re running, and we’re smiling,” Polley said, adding that the event is meant to be a “fun, family-friendly environment.”

The event aims not only to raise money, but also to increase awareness of the SOAR program and its mission to create inclusivity in recreational activities.

For more information on the event or the SOAR program, visit the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation website.