Lipman is synonymous with education in the Immokalee community. For the last seven years, Lipman has provided children in need with the supplies required for the coming school year. The annual Lipman 5K Run for Backpacks raises the vital funds needed to make that happen. Students, teachers, families and business partners will come together on Saturday, May 11 at 8 a.m. at Immokalee High School on 701 Immokalee Drive to realize that goal once more.
Now in its fifth year, the Lipman 5K Run for Backpacks is creating a substantial community impact. Last year’s event raised enough money to fill over 1,500 backpacks with school supplies and provide 200 bicycles, $3,000 in clothing store gift cards, and 100 children’s haircuts at the Lipman Family Farms Backpack Giveaway. This year, the goal is to provide even more to the children in the Immokalee community.
“It’s about more than just giving back,” said Jaime Weisinger from Lipman Family Farms, America’s largest open-field tomato grower. “It’s about providing these kids with a brighter future. Every chance we get to help children learn, grow and develop their skills, we are all in. Preparing them for school is just one of the ways we are here for this community.”
Weisinger challenged two brothers running in the 2018 Lipman 5K Run for Backpacks, knowing they were leaving for prep school in Boston. If they finished in the top five, he would fly them back to their hometown to run again in 2019. They finished first and third.
“Personally, the Lipman 5K gives me a sense of pride,” said Ellerman Mateo, last year’s race winner who’ll be flying in from Boston to run. “For the past couple of years, I have been able to help with packing the book bags and contribute to the Lipman backpack giveaway which emphasizes a clear message to me: Immokalee needs all the financial assistance it can get. Every time I go back home, I am saddened by the level of poverty present, but it is reassuring that Lipman is generous to give back to the community.”
Students, teachers and community members will be recognized during the family-friendly fundraisers. Two Golden Apple Award teachers from Collier County have been invited to the event to receive Lipman Golden Tomatoes in recognition of their hard work and dedication to education.
Businesses and community partners are encouraged to participate through event sponsorship. Numerous sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Jaime.weisinger@lipmanfamilyfarms.com.
For those who would like to donate rather than run, contributions can be made directly on the Lipman Pay Pal page at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=X7B62S3FMF5R4&source=url. All proceeds from this event directly fund the Lipman Backpack Giveaway in August.
Registration for the 5K, 1-mile walk and 1K Fun Run is open now. Participants can take advantage of discounted early bird, group and student pricing. Visit https://www.active.com/immokalee-fl/running/distance-running-races/lipman-s-5k-run-for-backpacks-2019 to register.
For more information about the event, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/LipmanFamilyFarms/ or call 239-657-4421.
