October 13, 2025 • 22 mins
This week on The Back of the Pack Podcast, we’re getting into the holiday spirit early as we welcome representatives from the Arthritis Foundation — the organization behind the annual Jingle Bell Run 5K, happening December 7th, 2025! We learn about the Foundation’s mission to support those living with arthritis and how this festive race helps turn miles into meaningful impact. From jingling costumes to the joy of running for a cause, our guests share what makes this event so special, including how it connects the running community to a bigger purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a casual holiday jogger, this episode will inspire you to lace up, spread cheer, and make every step count toward a cure.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:11):
Hello, everyone, greetings and salutations. Welcome back to another episode
at the Back of the Pack Podcast. I'm your host,
Kyle Walker. Thank you so much for tuning in. We
will have race reviews later. Right now, we have guests
people actually want to talk to us. It's amazing. Joining
us this week from the Arthritis Foundation are the good
folks from the jingle Bell Run five k that is
coming up on December seventh, So you got a little
(00:34):
bit of time. We have a Back of the Pack
podcast team that you need to join. But right now
we're gonna hear all about this race so we can
start getting excited for it. Yes, we're already talking Christmas
themed races. I am as shocked as you are, so
joining me first, I'm gonna tick it to Sheila. Sheila,
thank you very much for coming on the show. You
kind of have the history of the Arthritis Foundation, so
(00:54):
tell everyone, if you would be so kind kind of
what it is we're getting ready to run for coming
up here, and to say, well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
First of all for allowing us to do this. We
really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
The Arthritis Foundation has been around since nineteen forty eight
helping those with arthritis. You know improve their lives. There
are approximately sixty million adults in the United States with
arthritis and hundreds of thousands of children as well, And
I think that is really the biggest myth about arthritis
(01:30):
is that just older people get arthritis. That is not
the case. You know, kids get arthritis too, So that
is you know, part of our mission is to let
people know about you know, that adults and children get arthritis.
The Jingle Bell Run itself has been around for forty
This is year forty one for the event as a whole.
(01:51):
It started in Seattle forty one years ago. It has
been here in the Kansas City area for thirty nine
of those forty one years, so the Kansas City event
has been around a long time as well. And it's
just a lot of fun. It's a very family friendly
festive five k where everyone can come out and enjoy
(02:15):
a part of the event, whether you're a renter or
you're a family member that is watching someone run. There's
the ice skating rink there at Chicken and Pickle that
you can.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Ice skate on.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
We have a cocoa hot cocoa section, We have a
s'mores section. You can have your picture taken with Santa
or a mascot such as Casey Wolf. Also just a
lot of different things that you can do while you're there.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Wow, I had no idea there was that many things
going on at this race. I was also, as the
term goes lately, I was this day old when I
learned that there's arthritis in kids, like dive into that.
Whoever's got some information, please share, because yeah, that is
not something that is widely known. I didn't know that
kids could really suffer from arthritis. So I'm gonna give
(03:02):
us some information on that, if you'd be so kind.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yeah, well you want to go, Ali, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
That's kind of my cause behind the organization.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
My brother was diagnosed with juve now arthritis when he
was about nine, so my family obviously got super involved
in the cause, but things like it was we noticed
it was hard for him to walk, he was breaking
bones easily.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
So that's kind of how we noticed. And then as.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
He got older, we shifted attention to high school and
things like that. But I continue to stay with the
cause and fundraising and became a part of the committee.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
So that's how I got involved.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
And Ali, what do you do for the Arthritis Foundation?
Speaker 5 (03:44):
I said on the committee that helps plan and organize
and run the Jingle Bell Run. So I helped raise
as well, and I also run the race.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
I'm also a runner. So okay, my two passions for.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Sure, right absolutely. And then let's see here, Laura, you're
here as well. Let's get you introduced. Introduce yourself to everyone.
How did you get involved in this foundation? Hi?
Speaker 6 (04:05):
Yeah, I'm Laura Bonar and I'm also in the committee
with Ali we have helping to plan it. I like
to fundraise. I have friends that are affected by arthritis.
I personally are, no one in my family is, but
I love this event. I've been to it several times,
and after being there and seeing how how fun it is,
I realize this is something I want to be a
(04:26):
part of and kind of on the back end help
support and plan the event. So that's how I got
plugged in a couple of years ago.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Oh awesome, and then Sheila around it out. Tell everyone
what you do for the Arthritis Foundation. I'm a horrible
at introducing, as you can tell, like, we just dive
right into things. But tell everyone about yourself.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
It's all good. So I'm the development director for the
Arthritis Foundation. Kansas office.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I was originally hired by the foundation back in twenty fourteen,
and I was a volunteer before that, so I've been
around the foundation for a long time.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Yeah, and so you've kind of been doing the jingle
Bell Run five k. What do you think about it?
It's got to be a little bit of fun being
a race director or is it a little stressful when
we get towards this time of year.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, it's both, you know, right now, I'm really really
busy and I'm a little stressed.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
You know.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
It's like every time I get an email, I think, oh,
please let that be a team or a participant, you know,
or possibly a sponsor you know. So yeah, no, but
it's a lot of fun. My family's been participating, you know,
in the jingle Bell Run, Like I said, we you know,
we volunteered early on and we've been a part of
the jingle Bell Run itself for many years.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
So it means a lot to my family.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
And about So I get the feeling just looking online
and talking to you all teams, like you really are
big on teams for this event. What kind of led
you down the path of saying, Hey, we really want
to get teams involved in this, because not every race
really emphasizes that.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
I'll take that.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
So yeah, the team aspect is really just people coming
together to support the cause. You know, a lot of
teams will have a theme as far as how they
dress up. You know, we'll have a whole team of
you know, Christmas trees show up or another event, another
jingle bell run in another city I did. We had
people that you know, dressed up like snowflakes, you know,
(06:21):
or they you know, have like a theme of Rudolph
the Red Nose Reindeer, you know, will where they will
each be a different character.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
You know.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
So it's just you know, about coming together. It's about
whether it's a work team, you know, colleagues coming together
to form a team, or a family, or just a
bunch of friends that want to get together and come
out and have a good time at the event. So yeah,
teams are important, important in that respect, and also for
fund raising. You know, fundraising becomes a lot easier when
(06:52):
you are a team of ten. You know, if you
have a goal of twenty five hundred dollars, you know,
with ten people, it's a lot easier than trying to
raise that money by yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Yeah, absolutely, So let's talk about the fundraising aspect of it.
How do you guys go about it? What are your goals?
Kind of where you're at. Where are we out with
the fundraising for this event?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Again, I will take that one. So, yeah, we have
a lofty goal this year. It's one hundred and twenty thousand.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Last year we raised just under one hundred and eight thousand,
So our goal this year's you know, one hundred and
twenty thousand, and you know, we are determined to make it.
We do that through sponsorship, we do that through participation.
There is a registration fee associated with our event, and
(07:39):
then fundraising and whether you are a participant or a
member of a team, there are many ways that you
can fundraise. There's no requirement to fundraise, but you know,
we would like for people to, so, I mean, that's
why we're out there, that's why we're doing what we're.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Doing, you know, And fund raising can take on a
you know, you know, there's many different types of fundraising.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
You know, you could have a takeover at at Andy's,
you know, or at Chipotle or you know.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Things like that, or people have garage sales.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
This is a great time for garage sales and then
they put all of the money that they have are
in at the garage sale towards their team.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
So there's a lot of different things that you can
do to fundraise, and we are here to.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Support people and give, you know, help them come up
with ideas of ways that they can raise money.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
They aren't out there doing it on their own.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
I am especially a resource for team captains or participants
to help them do their fundraising.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Okay, now, Allie, I'm going to turn it to you
real quick because you said you're a runner and you've
done this correct. Yes, must give everyone a course preview
for this race.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
It has a nice hill, I'm not gonna lie, but
it's very festive and fun along the way, which makes
it really fun. Everybody has jingle bells on and it's
dressed up and so it's never too chilly either. It
is in December, but it's the start of December, so
you're never too hot either, which is nice.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
And it's just it's fun. I also love it. My
whole family comes, but they're not all runners.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
But as Sheila said, there's lots for family members to
do while you're out running, so that I love that
piece too, like my family can come support me, but
also do the fun activities that we have for everybody.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
So okay, well that's not exactly turn by turn. Right.
There there's one hill. I think she's lying.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
There's one one big old hill.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
If this is the course, I'm thinking is there's at
least two hills, and she's under selling right now, and.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
There's lots to look at along the way.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Yeah. So this starts at Chicken and Pickle correct in
Overland Park.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
Yep, and we yes, we run it down n all
up to Lamar and then up behind like lifetime fitness
around the roundabout.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
I'm back to Chicken and pickle.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Okay, okay, you guys do avoid one of the bad he.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Lamar is kind of our turn back up to Chicken
and pickle.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Okay, all right, and then we what are some of
the post race festivities that people can expect?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Oh, gush.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
You know last year we had so many people stay
after the event, and whether it's the food that they
stay for that we have afterward, or the ice skating.
We pay for our participants to use the ice rink,
so people would grab skates and get out on the
ice and ice skate and then just also just more
(10:33):
of those activities that we had before the event as well,
you know, the hot chocolate, the s'mores, you know, things
like that. So and then of course Chicken and Pickle.
I mean they have all of those great outdoor games
as well, and like Allie said, you know, the last
couple of years, the weather has been very very mild,
(10:54):
so it's you know, it's great to be able to
be outside and do all of those things.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Yeah, so I got never been to Chicken and Pickle before.
I will admit I've done races around there, but I've
never been in the place. So what do they offer inside?
Someone sell me on Chicken and Pickle.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Oh, my gosh, say so much. Inside.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
You know, they have the main restaurant, there's indoor games
inside the pickleball building itself. That's where our registration. We
have a photo booth in there. All of our sponsors
are in the Pickleball building. As far as for families,
for kids, we have a craft area you know, face painter, balloon, animals,
(11:33):
all of that type of thing as well. And it
also upstairs at Chicken and Pickle they have the igloos.
They have these really nice igloos setup and Santa was
there the last couple of years. Santo also roams around,
but he will go upstairs and sit in one of
the igloos if you want to have your picture taken
(11:54):
with him. But yeah, no, just a lot of different things.
And in the they have something called the the Amazing Room,
and that is our VIP section for our event, okay,
And our VIP section is for our sponsors as well
as our top fundraising teams and individuals. That's a special
place where they get to go and have brunch and
(12:18):
you know, gather their teams and have fun before and
after the event as well.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Okay, So Laura, why don't you tell us why why
should we come out to this race? I'm lobbing in
softball right here? Sell this baby, you got this? Here
we go.
Speaker 6 (12:33):
Well, it really just there's a feeling about it when
you get there. We have we have a lot of
music playing, like sheilawis saying, there's lots of characters walking
around and dress up to see all the costumes and
to be there with your family. There's a big bunch
of people that leave and they go in different phases.
There's a lot of walkers there there's lots of strollers.
It's a safe route for everyone. I don't know if
(12:56):
pets are allowed, that would be a question for Sheila.
But you just see all different people wanting to raise
or walk and then coming back is just a big celebration.
We do give out awards for the top runners and
those groups. From a corporate perspective perspective, that's kind of
where I come in. I do have a form a team.
(13:16):
I have people at my work that I try to
rally together, and we're pushing this year to fundraise and individually,
on top of their registration, I want them to raise
one hundred dollars. And I've asked a lot of our
partners and our competitors in the industry to also join
a team and see if we can who we can
who can raise the most money. So that's kind of
(13:38):
what we're doing. So we're going to hopefully meet up
with a lot of our people we work with and
our family also after the event.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Okay, so yeah, so you you're big in the corporate
fundraising part. Have you found that companies are like, really,
I don't know, are they really giving, especially this kind
of time of year, Like, are you getting a lot
of a lot of employees that are willing to join
the team, and a lot of companies that are willing
to work with you or donate to your cause.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Yes, yes, yes we are. We do a couple other
events as well, so we're kind of seeing there's a
big group of us that like to different you know,
different areas, different ways that they can help out. So
we're not a very big company, but we get a
good amount of people wanting to donate.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Oh that's okay. This company is like a company of one,
so trust me, I know all about being the small
one here. Where are you guys at on fundraising? So
your goal is one hundred and twenty? Are you guys
getting close? You have teams? I mean, well, last I looked,
you guys have some teams with some pretty high dollar amounts.
People are doing well with the fundraising. But kind of
where you at right now? Roughly so right now?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
As far as fundraising we do online, I think it
says about thirty nine thousand. We are more closer to
that fifty thousand dollars range with sponsorship and things.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
But yeah, we do. We have several teams.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
We have like twenty eight teams now and I'm sure
that will increase. We have a goal this year of
sixty teams games, which seems like a lot considering we're
all twenty eight right now, but I know we can
get there. Our big push this year is really to
engage more, like Laura was saying, with those corporations getting
(15:12):
corporate teams out.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
We do have a corporate Challenge this year where if.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Businesses sign on and commit to raising five hundred dollars
and having you know, minimum of five team members. You know,
they get some benefits for that, Okay, you know, they
get their logo on a ban, or they get a
separate section to kind of congregate, you know, before the event,
special snacks, coffee, things.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Like that for them in that space.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
So the Corporate Team Challenge is a big, a big fundraiser.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
For us this year as well.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Okay, awesome, Now let's let's talk what runners really care
about here. That's swag. We're going to be offering T shirts, correct, Yes,
all right, someone give me a T shirt preview for
this year? What are we looking at? How cool is
it going to be?
Speaker 3 (16:00):
It's going to be it's gonna be fun, It's it's
going to be a kind of a royal blue color
this year, I got. I guess I should have had
a picture ready, I could have popped it up on
my screen for you.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
But yeah, they're a blue color this year.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Are medals are because we know medals are important to people,
so we.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Have a very not not important.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I know, very fun unique metal again this year.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
So yeah, so when you register, not only will you
get a shirt, but you get a medal as well.
And then, like Laura mentioned, we do have prizes for
the overall finishers as well as medals for the first, second,
and third place for age groups. And we have the
traditional fifteen different age groups.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
All right, so I want to make sure everyone heard
that there are age division awards. So go win your
age division at least top three, which is where I
normally finish like four, and so no, I'm normally not
even that close. Now do you guys have a lot
of vendors that come and set up maybe booths and
tables at the finish line area. Let's let's talk about
(17:12):
your your finish line festivities and like who kind of
kind of roughly who comes out to to this event.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Yeah, so we do.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Have a lot of vendors. We traditionally our vendor area
has been inside. It will be the large pickleball building
there at Chicken and Pickle.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
That's where all of our vendors are.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
But as far as at the finish line, you know
we have, that's where we will be handing out the medals.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
You cannot miss it. The finish finish.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Your booth is going to be right there where we
can post the times you can you can get your medals.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
There will be finish finish line food. But yeah, and
then just all of the activities still going on as well.
And I would like to go back to the dog reference.
Yes we are dog friendly.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
There we go.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yes, yes, we have not necessarily promoted that the last
couple of years, just since we've been at a new location,
since we've been at Chicken and Pickle, But we are
dog friendly. Of course, we also have to follow the
rules there at Chicken and Pickle. They cannot be inside
the buildings. Okay, I can have your dog at the event, all.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Right, Well fine, they can't go inside, but they can
still do the race. So I'll give a shout out
to Mike and Becky. You guys can bring Scout and
Scout the officially unofficial mascot at the back of the
back podcast. He can come to the race. You probably
have seen him, he said, all the races around here.
Good good, He's a good boy, one of the good boys.
All right, So the biggest question of the three of you,
which one is the best pickleball player? Who takes the title? Anyone?
(18:44):
No one? I thought I was the only person who
had never played pick a ball.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
No, I've played a few times. But yeah, it is
not as easy as it.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Looks, no kidding, Okay, I don't know. I'm hoping maybe
this will be the first time I actually play some
pick a ball. I'm hoping we'll see unless like I'm
too tired after the run to do it, but I'm
going to hope. So all right, Well, is there anything
else that the folks need to know? Any information? Any
I don't know anything. This is your chance. The floor
is open. Anything people need to know to get them
(19:16):
to come out, and I am right December seventh, right,
Sunday nine am, Overland Park, Chicken and pickle Anything that
anyone needs to know fire away.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
I will also add that we have a silent auction.
Oh yeah, with the event as well.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Okay, what kind of stuff do we got, Yeah, we've.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Got some great baskets. We have a lot of great
Chiefs items ooh that you know. The approximate value of
everything is about fourteen hundred dollars. We are going to
take that and put it into smaller baskets so that
will be available. We have a few other businesses in
the immediate area of Chicken and Pickle that have donated
(19:57):
some baskets or will be like.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
A dog themed basket from a local business. We have
other like.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Night out type baskets, you know, restaurant gift cards, things
like that. So that's something else that you can do
while you're there, is take part in that silent auction
as well, Laura or Allie, anything else that you guys
can think of.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
Not necessarily, we did have Taylor Swift last year. We
have Casey Woolf what so.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Very fun, very family friendly, lots of photo opportunities.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
And well t Swizzle's going to be out there. I
guess we have to go now right. It's just popular, you.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
Know, if people are interested in finding out more about
the event. Our website is jb R dot o r
g slash Kansas City so JBR dot org. Slash Kansas City.
We also have a jingle Bell Run Kansas City Facebook group.
That's where we post a lot of our updates. It's
pictures from last year's event can be found there. You know,
(21:04):
we have a lot of registration contests between you know
now and the event. You know, for instance, you know,
register in the next you know, forty eight hours for
a chance to win, you know, that kind of a contest.
So we try to make it you know, exciting before
the event, during the event, and after as well.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Awesome. All right, Well, now I got to start working
on my team, which they don't know this exists yet,
but they're about to. And so people need to join
the Back of the Back podcast team so we can
get our numbers up and we look a little more
impressive because right now we're a team of one. But
I just did it today, So all right, anyone else anything?
I want to make sure nothing is left behind, everything
is covered. Everyone, everyone good? All right, Well here, I'll
(21:48):
do my I'll do my I'll cut this part out,
I'll do my wrap up and then you guys can
tell me how terrible I am. It's all good. So
all right, Well, I want to thank our guests for
coming on in the jingle Bow run coming up on
December seven. So to Ali, Sheila and Laura, thank you
very much for joining us today and everyone else, I
want to see you on December seventh, so be there.
(22:08):
Do it all right. So that's gonna do it for
this week's episode at the Back of the Back Podcast,
I'm your host, Kyle Walker, and it's my pleasure as always. Everyone,
have a safe week of training and we will see
you next week.
Hello, everyone, greetings and salutations. Welcome back to another episode
at the Back of the Pack Podcast. I'm your host,
Kyle Walker. Thank you so much for tuning in. We
will have race reviews later. Right now, we have guests
people actually want to talk to us. It's amazing. Joining
us this week from the Arthritis Foundation are the good
folks from the jingle Bell Run five k that is
coming up on December seventh, So you got a little
(00:34):
bit of time. We have a Back of the Pack
podcast team that you need to join. But right now
we're gonna hear all about this race so we can
start getting excited for it. Yes, we're already talking Christmas
themed races. I am as shocked as you are, so
joining me first, I'm gonna tick it to Sheila. Sheila,
thank you very much for coming on the show. You
kind of have the history of the Arthritis Foundation, so
(00:54):
tell everyone, if you would be so kind kind of
what it is we're getting ready to run for coming
up here, and to say, well, thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
First of all for allowing us to do this. We
really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
The Arthritis Foundation has been around since nineteen forty eight
helping those with arthritis. You know improve their lives. There
are approximately sixty million adults in the United States with
arthritis and hundreds of thousands of children as well, And
I think that is really the biggest myth about arthritis
(01:30):
is that just older people get arthritis. That is not
the case. You know, kids get arthritis too, So that
is you know, part of our mission is to let
people know about you know, that adults and children get arthritis.
The Jingle Bell Run itself has been around for forty
This is year forty one for the event as a whole.
(01:51):
It started in Seattle forty one years ago. It has
been here in the Kansas City area for thirty nine
of those forty one years, so the Kansas City event
has been around a long time as well. And it's
just a lot of fun. It's a very family friendly
festive five k where everyone can come out and enjoy
(02:15):
a part of the event, whether you're a renter or
you're a family member that is watching someone run. There's
the ice skating rink there at Chicken and Pickle that
you can.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Ice skate on.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
We have a cocoa hot cocoa section, We have a
s'mores section. You can have your picture taken with Santa
or a mascot such as Casey Wolf. Also just a
lot of different things that you can do while you're there.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Wow, I had no idea there was that many things
going on at this race. I was also, as the
term goes lately, I was this day old when I
learned that there's arthritis in kids, like dive into that.
Whoever's got some information, please share, because yeah, that is
not something that is widely known. I didn't know that
kids could really suffer from arthritis. So I'm gonna give
(03:02):
us some information on that, if you'd be so kind.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yeah, well you want to go, Ali, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
That's kind of my cause behind the organization.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
My brother was diagnosed with juve now arthritis when he
was about nine, so my family obviously got super involved
in the cause, but things like it was we noticed
it was hard for him to walk, he was breaking
bones easily.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
So that's kind of how we noticed. And then as.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
He got older, we shifted attention to high school and
things like that. But I continue to stay with the
cause and fundraising and became a part of the committee.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
So that's how I got involved.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
And Ali, what do you do for the Arthritis Foundation?
Speaker 5 (03:44):
I said on the committee that helps plan and organize
and run the Jingle Bell Run. So I helped raise
as well, and I also run the race.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
I'm also a runner. So okay, my two passions for.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Sure, right absolutely. And then let's see here, Laura, you're
here as well. Let's get you introduced. Introduce yourself to everyone.
How did you get involved in this foundation? Hi?
Speaker 6 (04:05):
Yeah, I'm Laura Bonar and I'm also in the committee
with Ali we have helping to plan it. I like
to fundraise. I have friends that are affected by arthritis.
I personally are, no one in my family is, but
I love this event. I've been to it several times,
and after being there and seeing how how fun it is,
I realize this is something I want to be a
(04:26):
part of and kind of on the back end help
support and plan the event. So that's how I got
plugged in a couple of years ago.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Oh awesome, and then Sheila around it out. Tell everyone
what you do for the Arthritis Foundation. I'm a horrible
at introducing, as you can tell, like, we just dive
right into things. But tell everyone about yourself.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
It's all good. So I'm the development director for the
Arthritis Foundation. Kansas office.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I was originally hired by the foundation back in twenty fourteen,
and I was a volunteer before that, so I've been
around the foundation for a long time.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Yeah, and so you've kind of been doing the jingle
Bell Run five k. What do you think about it?
It's got to be a little bit of fun being
a race director or is it a little stressful when
we get towards this time of year.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Yeah, it's both, you know, right now, I'm really really
busy and I'm a little stressed.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
You know.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
It's like every time I get an email, I think, oh,
please let that be a team or a participant, you know,
or possibly a sponsor you know. So yeah, no, but
it's a lot of fun. My family's been participating, you know,
in the jingle Bell Run, Like I said, we you know,
we volunteered early on and we've been a part of
the jingle Bell Run itself for many years.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
So it means a lot to my family.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
And about So I get the feeling just looking online
and talking to you all teams, like you really are
big on teams for this event. What kind of led
you down the path of saying, Hey, we really want
to get teams involved in this, because not every race
really emphasizes that.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
I'll take that.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
So yeah, the team aspect is really just people coming
together to support the cause. You know, a lot of
teams will have a theme as far as how they
dress up. You know, we'll have a whole team of
you know, Christmas trees show up or another event, another
jingle bell run in another city I did. We had
people that you know, dressed up like snowflakes, you know,
(06:21):
or they you know, have like a theme of Rudolph
the Red Nose Reindeer, you know, will where they will
each be a different character.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
You know.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
So it's just you know, about coming together. It's about
whether it's a work team, you know, colleagues coming together
to form a team, or a family, or just a
bunch of friends that want to get together and come
out and have a good time at the event. So yeah,
teams are important, important in that respect, and also for
fund raising. You know, fundraising becomes a lot easier when
(06:52):
you are a team of ten. You know, if you
have a goal of twenty five hundred dollars, you know,
with ten people, it's a lot easier than trying to
raise that money by yourself.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Yeah, absolutely, So let's talk about the fundraising aspect of it.
How do you guys go about it? What are your goals?
Kind of where you're at. Where are we out with
the fundraising for this event?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Again, I will take that one. So, yeah, we have
a lofty goal this year. It's one hundred and twenty thousand.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Last year we raised just under one hundred and eight thousand,
So our goal this year's you know, one hundred and
twenty thousand, and you know, we are determined to make it.
We do that through sponsorship, we do that through participation.
There is a registration fee associated with our event, and
(07:39):
then fundraising and whether you are a participant or a
member of a team, there are many ways that you
can fundraise. There's no requirement to fundraise, but you know,
we would like for people to, so, I mean, that's
why we're out there, that's why we're doing what we're.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Doing, you know, And fund raising can take on a
you know, you know, there's many different types of fundraising.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
You know, you could have a takeover at at Andy's,
you know, or at Chipotle or you know.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Things like that, or people have garage sales.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
This is a great time for garage sales and then
they put all of the money that they have are
in at the garage sale towards their team.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
So there's a lot of different things that you can
do to fundraise, and we are here to.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Support people and give, you know, help them come up
with ideas of ways that they can raise money.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
They aren't out there doing it on their own.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
I am especially a resource for team captains or participants
to help them do their fundraising.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
Okay, now, Allie, I'm going to turn it to you
real quick because you said you're a runner and you've
done this correct. Yes, must give everyone a course preview
for this race.
Speaker 5 (08:51):
It has a nice hill, I'm not gonna lie, but
it's very festive and fun along the way, which makes
it really fun. Everybody has jingle bells on and it's
dressed up and so it's never too chilly either. It
is in December, but it's the start of December, so
you're never too hot either, which is nice.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
And it's just it's fun. I also love it. My
whole family comes, but they're not all runners.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
But as Sheila said, there's lots for family members to
do while you're out running, so that I love that
piece too, like my family can come support me, but
also do the fun activities that we have for everybody.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
So okay, well that's not exactly turn by turn. Right.
There there's one hill. I think she's lying.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
There's one one big old hill.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
If this is the course, I'm thinking is there's at
least two hills, and she's under selling right now, and.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
There's lots to look at along the way.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Yeah. So this starts at Chicken and Pickle correct in
Overland Park.
Speaker 5 (09:46):
Yep, and we yes, we run it down n all
up to Lamar and then up behind like lifetime fitness
around the roundabout.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
I'm back to Chicken and pickle.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Okay, okay, you guys do avoid one of the bad he.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Lamar is kind of our turn back up to Chicken
and pickle.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Okay, all right, and then we what are some of
the post race festivities that people can expect?
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Oh, gush.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
You know last year we had so many people stay
after the event, and whether it's the food that they
stay for that we have afterward, or the ice skating.
We pay for our participants to use the ice rink,
so people would grab skates and get out on the
ice and ice skate and then just also just more
(10:33):
of those activities that we had before the event as well,
you know, the hot chocolate, the s'mores, you know, things
like that. So and then of course Chicken and Pickle.
I mean they have all of those great outdoor games
as well, and like Allie said, you know, the last
couple of years, the weather has been very very mild,
(10:54):
so it's you know, it's great to be able to
be outside and do all of those things.
Speaker 1 (10:59):
Yeah, so I got never been to Chicken and Pickle before.
I will admit I've done races around there, but I've
never been in the place. So what do they offer inside?
Someone sell me on Chicken and Pickle.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Oh, my gosh, say so much. Inside.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
You know, they have the main restaurant, there's indoor games
inside the pickleball building itself. That's where our registration. We
have a photo booth in there. All of our sponsors
are in the Pickleball building. As far as for families,
for kids, we have a craft area you know, face painter, balloon, animals,
(11:33):
all of that type of thing as well. And it
also upstairs at Chicken and Pickle they have the igloos.
They have these really nice igloos setup and Santa was
there the last couple of years. Santo also roams around,
but he will go upstairs and sit in one of
the igloos if you want to have your picture taken
(11:54):
with him. But yeah, no, just a lot of different things.
And in the they have something called the the Amazing Room,
and that is our VIP section for our event, okay,
And our VIP section is for our sponsors as well
as our top fundraising teams and individuals. That's a special
place where they get to go and have brunch and
(12:18):
you know, gather their teams and have fun before and
after the event as well.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Okay, So Laura, why don't you tell us why why
should we come out to this race? I'm lobbing in
softball right here? Sell this baby, you got this? Here
we go.
Speaker 6 (12:33):
Well, it really just there's a feeling about it when
you get there. We have we have a lot of
music playing, like sheilawis saying, there's lots of characters walking
around and dress up to see all the costumes and
to be there with your family. There's a big bunch
of people that leave and they go in different phases.
There's a lot of walkers there there's lots of strollers.
It's a safe route for everyone. I don't know if
(12:56):
pets are allowed, that would be a question for Sheila.
But you just see all different people wanting to raise
or walk and then coming back is just a big celebration.
We do give out awards for the top runners and
those groups. From a corporate perspective perspective, that's kind of
where I come in. I do have a form a team.
(13:16):
I have people at my work that I try to
rally together, and we're pushing this year to fundraise and individually,
on top of their registration, I want them to raise
one hundred dollars. And I've asked a lot of our
partners and our competitors in the industry to also join
a team and see if we can who we can
who can raise the most money. So that's kind of
(13:38):
what we're doing. So we're going to hopefully meet up
with a lot of our people we work with and
our family also after the event.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Okay, so yeah, so you you're big in the corporate
fundraising part. Have you found that companies are like, really,
I don't know, are they really giving, especially this kind
of time of year, Like, are you getting a lot
of a lot of employees that are willing to join
the team, and a lot of companies that are willing
to work with you or donate to your cause.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Yes, yes, yes we are. We do a couple other
events as well, so we're kind of seeing there's a
big group of us that like to different you know,
different areas, different ways that they can help out. So
we're not a very big company, but we get a
good amount of people wanting to donate.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Oh that's okay. This company is like a company of one,
so trust me, I know all about being the small
one here. Where are you guys at on fundraising? So
your goal is one hundred and twenty? Are you guys
getting close? You have teams? I mean, well, last I looked,
you guys have some teams with some pretty high dollar amounts.
People are doing well with the fundraising. But kind of
where you at right now? Roughly so right now?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
As far as fundraising we do online, I think it
says about thirty nine thousand. We are more closer to
that fifty thousand dollars range with sponsorship and things.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
But yeah, we do. We have several teams.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
We have like twenty eight teams now and I'm sure
that will increase. We have a goal this year of
sixty teams games, which seems like a lot considering we're
all twenty eight right now, but I know we can
get there. Our big push this year is really to
engage more, like Laura was saying, with those corporations getting
(15:12):
corporate teams out.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
We do have a corporate Challenge this year where if.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Businesses sign on and commit to raising five hundred dollars
and having you know, minimum of five team members. You know,
they get some benefits for that, Okay, you know, they
get their logo on a ban, or they get a
separate section to kind of congregate, you know, before the event,
special snacks, coffee, things.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
Like that for them in that space.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
So the Corporate Team Challenge is a big, a big fundraiser.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
For us this year as well.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Okay, awesome, Now let's let's talk what runners really care
about here. That's swag. We're going to be offering T shirts, correct, Yes,
all right, someone give me a T shirt preview for
this year? What are we looking at? How cool is
it going to be?
Speaker 3 (16:00):
It's going to be it's gonna be fun, It's it's
going to be a kind of a royal blue color
this year, I got. I guess I should have had
a picture ready, I could have popped it up on
my screen for you.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
But yeah, they're a blue color this year.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
Are medals are because we know medals are important to people,
so we.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Have a very not not important.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I know, very fun unique metal again this year.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
So yeah, so when you register, not only will you
get a shirt, but you get a medal as well.
And then, like Laura mentioned, we do have prizes for
the overall finishers as well as medals for the first, second,
and third place for age groups. And we have the
traditional fifteen different age groups.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
All right, so I want to make sure everyone heard
that there are age division awards. So go win your
age division at least top three, which is where I
normally finish like four, and so no, I'm normally not
even that close. Now do you guys have a lot
of vendors that come and set up maybe booths and
tables at the finish line area. Let's let's talk about
(17:12):
your your finish line festivities and like who kind of
kind of roughly who comes out to to this event.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Yeah, so we do.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Have a lot of vendors. We traditionally our vendor area
has been inside. It will be the large pickleball building
there at Chicken and Pickle.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
That's where all of our vendors are.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
But as far as at the finish line, you know
we have, that's where we will be handing out the medals.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
You cannot miss it. The finish finish.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Your booth is going to be right there where we
can post the times you can you can get your medals.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
There will be finish finish line food. But yeah, and
then just all of the activities still going on as well.
And I would like to go back to the dog reference.
Yes we are dog friendly.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
There we go.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yes, yes, we have not necessarily promoted that the last
couple of years, just since we've been at a new location,
since we've been at Chicken and Pickle, But we are
dog friendly. Of course, we also have to follow the
rules there at Chicken and Pickle. They cannot be inside
the buildings. Okay, I can have your dog at the event, all.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
Right, Well fine, they can't go inside, but they can
still do the race. So I'll give a shout out
to Mike and Becky. You guys can bring Scout and
Scout the officially unofficial mascot at the back of the
back podcast. He can come to the race. You probably
have seen him, he said, all the races around here.
Good good, He's a good boy, one of the good boys.
All right, So the biggest question of the three of you,
which one is the best pickleball player? Who takes the title? Anyone?
(18:44):
No one? I thought I was the only person who
had never played pick a ball.
Speaker 6 (18:50):
No, I've played a few times. But yeah, it is
not as easy as it.
Speaker 1 (18:54):
Looks, no kidding, Okay, I don't know. I'm hoping maybe
this will be the first time I actually play some
pick a ball. I'm hoping we'll see unless like I'm
too tired after the run to do it, but I'm
going to hope. So all right, Well, is there anything
else that the folks need to know? Any information? Any
I don't know anything. This is your chance. The floor
is open. Anything people need to know to get them
(19:16):
to come out, and I am right December seventh, right,
Sunday nine am, Overland Park, Chicken and pickle Anything that
anyone needs to know fire away.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
I will also add that we have a silent auction.
Oh yeah, with the event as well.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
Okay, what kind of stuff do we got, Yeah, we've.
Speaker 3 (19:35):
Got some great baskets. We have a lot of great
Chiefs items ooh that you know. The approximate value of
everything is about fourteen hundred dollars. We are going to
take that and put it into smaller baskets so that
will be available. We have a few other businesses in
the immediate area of Chicken and Pickle that have donated
(19:57):
some baskets or will be like.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
A dog themed basket from a local business. We have
other like.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
Night out type baskets, you know, restaurant gift cards, things
like that. So that's something else that you can do
while you're there, is take part in that silent auction
as well, Laura or Allie, anything else that you guys
can think of.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
Not necessarily, we did have Taylor Swift last year. We
have Casey Woolf what so.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Very fun, very family friendly, lots of photo opportunities.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
And well t Swizzle's going to be out there. I
guess we have to go now right. It's just popular, you.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
Know, if people are interested in finding out more about
the event. Our website is jb R dot o r
g slash Kansas City so JBR dot org. Slash Kansas City.
We also have a jingle Bell Run Kansas City Facebook group.
That's where we post a lot of our updates. It's
pictures from last year's event can be found there. You know,
(21:04):
we have a lot of registration contests between you know
now and the event. You know, for instance, you know,
register in the next you know, forty eight hours for
a chance to win, you know, that kind of a contest.
So we try to make it you know, exciting before
the event, during the event, and after as well.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Awesome. All right, Well, now I got to start working
on my team, which they don't know this exists yet,
but they're about to. And so people need to join
the Back of the Back podcast team so we can
get our numbers up and we look a little more
impressive because right now we're a team of one. But
I just did it today, So all right, anyone else anything?
I want to make sure nothing is left behind, everything
is covered. Everyone, everyone good? All right, Well here, I'll
(21:48):
do my I'll do my I'll cut this part out,
I'll do my wrap up and then you guys can
tell me how terrible I am. It's all good. So
all right, Well, I want to thank our guests for
coming on in the jingle Bow run coming up on
December seven. So to Ali, Sheila and Laura, thank you
very much for joining us today and everyone else, I
want to see you on December seventh, so be there.
(22:08):
Do it all right. So that's gonna do it for
this week's episode at the Back of the Back Podcast,
I'm your host, Kyle Walker, and it's my pleasure as always. Everyone,
have a safe week of training and we will see
you next week.
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