Golden Valley-based nonprofit Headwaters has a reach that extends well beyond the Twin Cities' borders.
"We have a large group of volunteers that help both with physical, regrowth and rebuilding of communities and individual homes," said Kari Reinhart of Headwaters.
The organization provides both immediate and long-term physical aid and mental health support to devastated areas.
"It doesn't just last for that hero period afterwards where everybody kicks in to help and then they leave for the next disaster," said Reinhart. ""We're in it for the long haul with the victims."
Initially formed in response to Hurricane Katrina, the organization has evolved into a national volunteer initiative that takes them to disaster sites as close as north Minneapolis and as far away as Haiti.
"As much as we can be recognized as that, the more helpful it's gonna be for us to help those victims," Reinhart said.
Yet for as much help as they provide to victims, Headwaters is always in need of financial support to keep their initiatives going.
Officials at the Golden Valley nonprofit hope that a 5K run/walk Saturday morning at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove can raise some of those much-needed funds.
"All of those proceeds goes directly to the victims," Reinhart stressed. "Nothing goes to administration costs or anything of the such, so it is important that every dollar goes back to the victims of these disasters."
The annual Headwaters 5K Fun Run and Walk takes place Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. You can register for the race at www.active.com.
Delane Cleveland
dcleveland@twelve.tv
Sept. 7, 2012