IRIS Run for Refugees Sells Out with 2,500 Entrants!

New Haven, CT: The 10th Annual IRIS Run for Refugees 5K is excited to announce the event has sold out with 2,500 entrants, shattering the previous record of 1,100! The event takes place this Sunday, February 5 at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven. The mission of the race is to raise funds and awareness for hundreds of refugees who start new lives in Connecticut each year. A post-race party will offer international food, live music, and an awards ceremony for the top finishers and top fundraisers.

IRIS- Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services is New Haven’s only refugee resettlement agency. Since 1982, IRIS has resettled over 5,000 refugees who were forced to flee their home countries due to persecution, including 530 people in 2016 alone. The funds raised provide basic needs for refugees, and support programs that help them become self-sufficient. Following President Donald Trump’s Executive Order that instituted a moratorium on the refugee resettlement program and temporarily banned travel into the United States of seven Muslim-majority countries, IRIS has received immense support from the community. In 2015, IRIS supporters fundraised nearly $12,000. So far in 2017, event participants have raised over $130,000 and counting.

While the event is sold out, IRIS is encouraging donations and fundraising to help the organization continue serving refugees. To donate or fundraise, visit www.irisct.org. IRIS and its supporters are also organizing a March for Refugees to follow the race at 12pm on Sunday, February 5. The march begins at Wilbur Cross High School and finishes at the New Haven Green. Speakers include resettled refugees, Mayor Toni Harp of New Haven, and Chris George, IRIS’s Executive Director. All are welcome.

“We are overwhelmed with the incredible support,” says Chris George, IRIS Executive Director. “Sunday will be a great day to stand in solidarity with refugees, by running and marching with them. Come join us!”

The Run for Refugees is supported by its Presenting Sponsor Africa Plan Foundation, as well as Olympian Sponsors Action Together Connecticut and Time Equities Inc. “Advocate Sponsors include Blue State Coffee, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Elm Campus Partners, Quinnipiac University, Shutesbury Coffee Cake Club, Farnam Realty Group, Rotary Club of Guilford, Connecticut Health Foundation, Kebabian's, CIONFP, Edible Arrangements, Donnelley Financial Solutions, mActivity, Outfront Media, East Rock Pharmacy, Archie Moore's, Sap! Maple, Chabaso Bakery, Honest Tea, Crest Automall, Radiall USA, Inc., Beers, Hamerman, Cohen & Burger, PC. and World Affairs Council of CT. For more information about IRIS or the 2017 IRIS Run for Refugees, visit www.irisct.org.