Catholic Charities will benefit when runners step out in Schoharie

Most of the programs of Catholic Charities of Schoharie County run into the red each year -- which doesn't surprise the agency's executive director, Thomas Mayer.

"That's the way for most non-profits," he told The Evangelist. "We run the domestic violence program in the county, a food pantry, counseling -- and they always run deficits."

On Sept. 27, however, the agency will be getting a boost: The annual FAM 5K "Fund" Run/Walk is raising funds targeted for Catholic Charities.

The wildly successful run/walk has been held for a dozen years under the sponsorship of Fenimore Asset Management, Inc., a Cobleskill investment firm. Mr. Mayer said that at least 700 participants take part in the event, plus approximately 200 volunteers.

"Schoharie is a very generous community," he stated.

Besides the 5K race itself, which is held at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds, the day also features vendors' booths, a barbecue, a raffle that all registered runners and walkers can enter, clowns, face painting and free massages.

Fenimore Asset Management rotates the race's beneficiary annually among five Schoharie County non-profits: the Association for Retarded Citizens, the Community Action Program, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity and Catholic Charities.

Mr. Mayer noted that the last time his agency was the beneficiary of the run/walk, it received about $15,000. He added that, even on the off-years when another non-profit was the prime beneficiary, Catholic Charities was given a $10,000 donation from Fenimore Asset Management.

"This is not like grant money," targeted for specific programs and uses, Mr. Mayer explained. "You can do some extra stuff."

The extra financial help is certainly needed: The director said that Catholic Charities' nine-bed safe dwelling for domestic violence victims is currently full, its counseling program is jammed with patients and the number of patrons of its food pantry is rising.

With economic hard times hitting many, "it's going to get worse," he predicted. "The need for essential services is going to go up."

In addition to the needs of Catholic Charities clients in Schoharie County, Mr. Mayer noted another reason it was good to be chosen as the race's beneficiary this year: "It's also the 30th anniversary of the agency."

(To learn more or sign up for the 5K run/walk, go to www.fam5K.com. Contact Catholic Charities of Schoharie County at 234-3581.)