IRIS Run for Refugees Expects Record Crowd of over 1,200 Runners!

Date: January 18, 2017

Contact: Ann O’Brien aobrien@irisct.org or Kelly Hebrank khebrank@irisct.org

New Haven, CT: The 10th Annual IRIS Run for Refugees 5K expects a record crowd of over 1,200 on Sunday, February 5! Runners and walkers are invited to start their Super Bowl festivities with a fun-filled event that raises funds and awareness for hundreds of refugees who start new lives in Connecticut each year. IRIS Run for Refugees has received immense support from our community and has nearly doubled in participation over the past five years.

The 5K race kicks off at Wilbur Cross High School at 10AM and travels up East Rock. After the race, participants are welcome to enjoy a warm post-race party offering delicious international food, beverages, wings from Archie Moore’s, live music, awards ceremony and more! Chris George, Executive Director of IRIS, states “We’ll have people from all over the world celebrating this amazing American tradition of welcoming refugees.”

Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, also known as IRIS, 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. Services include job training, English language classes, health care education, family unification and legal services, school readiness programs and temporary housing assistance. The funds raised support programs that welcome refugees and help them become self-sufficient.

Participants are encouraged to fundraise for IRIS. Fundraisers who collect $200 or more receive complimentary entry. George describes his passion for helping refugees, “Refugees, our newest neighbors, are invited by our government to come to this country to start new lives. We want to welcome them and help them get off to a good start.” With nearly three weeks until the event, IRIS has already raised over $28,000! Prizes are awarded to the top three individual fundraisers and top fundraising team. Email jody@jbsports.com with fundraising questions.

The event is supported by Africa Plan Foundation, Action Together CT, Time Equities, Blue State Coffee, Shutesbury Coffee Cake Club, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Quinnipiac University, Elm Campus Partners, Guilford Rotary Club, CIONFP Global Football Pool, Edible Arrangements, mActivity, Donnelley Financial Solutions, Outfront Media, Archie Moore's, Crest Auto Mall, Radiall USA, Inc., Honest Tea and Chabaso Bakery. For more information about IRIS or the 2017 IRIS Run for Refugees, visit www.irisct.org.