We love shining a spotlight on a favorite Indianapolis fall tradition. For this month’s Member Profile, we spoke with GIPC Member Representative Perry Hines, President & CEO of Wheeler Mission, to learn more about Wheeler’s annual Drumstick Dash and how GIPC Members can move their feet so others can eat! Photo credit: Wheeler Mission
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Can you share more about the history of the Drumstick Dash?
The Drumstick Dash was created in 2003 by Steve Kerr, the former Chief Development Officer at Wheeler Mission. The event was simply meant to be a fun event that would allow people in the community to run or walk to help people experiencing homelessness. The tag line, “Move your feet so others can eat” tied the fun, quirky event with the cause that is at the heart of the event. At the time, there were no other Thanksgiving Day races in the Indianapolis area. The event quickly grew and became one of the largest running events in the state. In 2016, the event reached it’s largest number of registrants, having 20,140 signed up to run or walk on Thanksgiving morning. In the 20 years since we started the event, more than 242,000 have moved their feet so others can eat, and the race now raised nearly one million dollars for Wheeler Mission.
What will runners experience the day of the Dash?
The event features a 4.5-mile full gobbler course and a 2.5-mile mini gobbler course. Participants can choose to run or walk either course during registration, and both courses will start on Broad Ripple Ave. at 9AM. The morning will be full of fun, and include a pre-race concert, featuring the band Dream Slice. Families and friends will gather wearing the famous, collectable Drumstick Dash shirts, or they will be dressed in holiday costumes. Participants will enjoy the Broad Ripple charm as they run or walk through the village, and at the finish line, they will receive free timing results, coffee from Starbucks, food and refreshments from Kroger, and much more! The event has something for everyone no matter the age or fitness level. For small children, there is a 40-yard Lil’ Gobbler run that is free to participate in and the kids will get to chase the official event mascot, DASH in a fun, designated course.
How do the proceeds benefit Wheeler Mission?
100% of the proceeds benefit Wheeler Mission. This is Wheeler Mission’s largest fundraising event, and the money helps to provide food, shelter, and care to people experiencing homelessness. Wheeler Mission does not receive government funding, so the funding from events like the Drumstick Dash ensures Wheeler can continue to provide services to people in need. In 2022, Wheeler Mission served:
- 13,816 different people
- 387,293 meals
- 250,449 nights of shelter
How can GIPC Members get involved? (Shout out to fellow GIPC Member Huntington Bank for being the title sponsor!)
There are several ways to get involved. We invite you to register to run or walk at www.DrumstickDash.org. You can also register to volunteer at our Expo and on race day.
What other Wheeler Mission events can GIPC Members look forward to year-round?
Wheeler will be hosting multiple exciting events in 2024. Be sure to add our 100 Holes for the Homeless golf marathon (June 2024) and our Strength In Our Streets team fitness competition (September 2024) to your calendars.