The Pierce family’s home off Durant Road turned into a cookie-making factory Tuesday, Sept. 2. Sixth-grader Morgan Pierce, her sister and her friends baked more than 250 cookies for the Good Cookie Run, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6. The 5K will raise money to go towards childhood cancer research.
Morgan was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma more than five years ago. Since then, her family has put on a variety of fundraisers not only to benefit the family, but to raise awareness on childhood cancer and help other families battling cancer in the Plant City area.
The Good Cookie Run will start at 8 a.m., with registration at 7 a.m. at the Train Depot in Historic Downtown Plant City. After the race, there will be an after-party with bounce houses, food and drinks, games, and a Dock 7 concert.
Each runner will get a cookie at the finish line.
“It’s fun to get cookies,” said Emily Pierce, Morgan’s mother and organizer of the race. “A lot of people don’t want to think about childhood cancer. But, we put a sweet spin on it so at the end you get a cookie and you’re helping kids.”
This is the third year for the Good Cookie Run. The first year, the run raised $3,300. The second year saw a huge increase in support and brought in $13,000. The participant count was up the second year, as well, from 55 runners the first year to 184 runners the second.
“I don’t know if we’ll see that jump this year,” Emily said. “I would like to raise more than last year.”
So far, registration numbers are down. But, Emily is hoping more will show up at same-day registration.
Runners can wear costumes or regular fitness wear.
“The main goal is to fund kids cancer research,” Emily said. “The proceeds will go to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which raises money for childhood cancer only. It’s also to bring awareness to the community that there are kids fighting cancer here.”
If you go When: Sept 6; registration 7 a.m.; race 8 a.m. Where: Train depot, 102 N. Palmer St. Cost: $35; benefits Cookies for kids’ cancer Info: The race will take runners around Historic Downtown Plant City and will end with an after party that include bounce houses, food, games and a concert. The after party is free with activities asking for a donation to raise money for childhood cancer. Website: active.com/plant-city-fl/running/distance-running-races/3rd-annual-good-cookie-5k-2014Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.