It’s not unusual for Piedmont Triad International Airport to raise a lot of money with a charity run every year, but it is unusual for the airport to do it without actually holding the run.
This year, the year of COVID-19, that’s what happened.
At a Tuesday, July 27 meeting of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, Paul Mengert, the chairman of the authority, announced that area hunger charities were receiving $96,619. Although, 1,400 runners signed up to compete in the 11th Annual PTI 5K/10K Run on the Runway that was scheduled for March of this year, like many other events the run was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite that, the run’s 50-plus sponsors donated cash to help make the fundraiser a success.
Proceeds from the run that didn’t take place will go to organizations that provide food assistance to area residents: Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Greensboro Urban Ministry and Open Door Ministries of High Point.
Mengert stated at the meeting, and in a press release sent out afterward, that the Airport Authority’s Event Committee equaled last year’s target for the beneficiary charities.
“We know our communities are committed to helping their neighbors, as evidenced by our ability to raise these much needed funds for hunger charities,” he said. “We are delighted at the response to this year’s event since most of the registrants chose to let their registrations continue to go towards the fundraiser event though the event was not held.”
He added that he was grateful to the community for supporting the worthy cause.
“We would like to thank the sponsors and our charity partners that assisted with this project,” said Mengert. “This is a regional airport and this was truly a regional effort that will benefit many, many people.”
Mengert also announced at the meeting that Airport Authority Board Member Christopher Dunbar will be the honorary chairman for the 2021 Run on the Runway, expected to be held in the spring of next year. Hopefully, by then, the pandemic will be a thing of the past.
Platinum sponsors of this year’s event were Honda Aircraft Company, Lindsey Architecture, ThermoFisher Scientific, Koury Aviation and HAECO.
Corporate sponsors who broadcast their wonderful contribution are insincere. It is part of their advertising scheme.
I’ve read that two of our utility companies, Duke Energy, and Dominion Resources, are making seven-figure charitable donations to benefit minority and black charities. Does corporate-caving feel good? Are you buying off minorities? I own stock in these companies. Why not send me the dividends, and let ME decide what charities to fund? It’s just like our Government handouts.
Don’t think so? Check it out for yourself. Corporate-caving is rampant. Buy Goya!