Sep 23, 2017

Eighth Annual Hope for Humanity Run Walk Picnic raises more than $14,000 for women and children

About 800 people came to Dearborn’s Ford Field Park on Sept. 16 for Zaman’s Eighth Annual Hope for Humanity Run Walk Picnic, enjoying a day of food, fun and fitness while raising $14,200 for Detroit-area women and children experiencing extreme poverty.

The event, organized largely by the Zaman Detroit Run Team and supported generously by individual and corporate donors, featured a barbecue lunch, 5K and 10K runs, a kids’ run, and a host of activities for children and adults that included pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin decorating, basketball and tug-of-war challenges, and a photo booth. New to the Run Walk Picnic this year were an ice cream-generating “dessert laboratory” and a double run, which allowed more ambitious runners to combine the 5k and 10k for a 15-kilometer race.

Ali Bazzi, event director and captain of the Zaman Detroit Run Team, said Zaman’s success this year in maintaining last year’s record-breaking attendance shows the Run Walk Picnic is gaining ground as one of Metro Detroit’s premier fall running events. All proceeds from the event go to help low-income women with children receive essential needs and job skills training, he noted, adding that many runners love the idea of helping others while engaging in one of their favorite pastimes.

“The Run Walk Picnic is a unique event in Metro Detroit as it allows for people of all abilities to have an event they enjoy, be it the run, walk, picnic or all three,” said Bazzi.

Judge David Turfe of 20th District Court in Dearborn Heights, who serves as chair of the Run Walk Picnic, said “the great combination of competitive running events, family fun, and a worthy cause attracts people from all over Greater Detroit.” This year’s attendees included a number of public officials, Turfe noted, including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Mayor of the City of Dearborn Jack O'Reilly, 3rd Circuit Court Judge Adel Harb, and Dearborn City Councilman Tom Tafelski.

The 2017 Run Walk Picnic was supported by Gold Sponsors Carhartt, Remax Team 2000 and Superior Buick GMC, Silver Sponsors Ally Financial, Assured Capital Funding, Dr. Nitro’s Dessert Lab, Greenland Markets, Omnex Accounting & Tax Services, RUNdetroit, Saad Meats, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, Venture Title and Village Ford, and Picnic Sponsors Mike Dorian Ford, Monroe Bank & Trust, Pat Milliken Ford, Tropical Smoothie Cafe East Dearborn, Yogurtown, IHT Insurance Agency, and Tim Hortons on Michigan Ave. and Evergreen.

Zaman also thanked the following organizations, businesses and individuals whose assistance, donations and supplies made the day possible: The Ann Arbor Track Club, Bams BP, Big Apple Bagels on Ford Road, Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department, The Dearborn Police Department, Dearborn Fire & Rescue, Mohamad & Nadia Ayoub, Mohamad Rami, Saj Bakery and the University of Michigan School of Pharmacy.

Najah Bazzy, CEO and founder of Zaman International, said community turnout for this year’s picnic was “exciting and greatly appreciated.”

“It is always wonderful to see families coming together to help other families,” Bazzy said. “Everyone who came to eat helped others eat. Everyone who came to run helped others experience wellness. As always, the credit for this event goes to the many donors, attendees and volunteers whose support made it possible.”