Erie Catholic

The 5K for Catholic Education was born over two years ago when Michael Haas and Andrew Pregler approached Diocese of Erie officials about starting an annual 5K event to raise money for Catholic Education. With the help of Fr. Nicholas Rouch, Fr. Steve Schreiber, and Mr. Doug Chuzie, the Inaugural 5K Run/Walk for Catholic Education took place on the grounds of St. Marks on August 14.

The race raised over $2,000 for the Bishops Tuition Assistance Program and a new event was born. The Project looks to continue raising both awareness and funds for education within the Erie Diocese as well as promoting youth activism within the Catholic Church. This event is "More than just a race", and is organized by the youth, for the youth, and will be continued by the youth for years to come.

Over the next few months, the 5K for Education Project will begin to mobilize for the Third Annual race which will be held on August 18, 2012. Continuing the efforts of last year, the Project will embark on a grassroots campaign to gain support. The Project will be pitched at local churches, schools and companies in order to gain participants, young volunteers, and sponsors. As the date grows closer, the appropriate materials will be acquired with the funds held over from last year as well as with the help of sponsors.

History of the Organization

In December of 2009, Michael Haas and Andrew Pregler had the idea of creating an innovative and community event that could bring attention and support to the Catholic education system that provided them with so much. After meeting with Fr. Steve Schrieber, Fr. Nicholas Rouch and Mr. Douglas Chuzie, the 5K for Catholic Education was born. The race would be a community bonding event, where parents, students, faculty and staff of all Catholic schools in the Diocese would gather together to show the strength of Catholic education in the region. Furthermore, this race would be organized and run by the youth of the Diocese, to show the potential of the future Catholic generation. The Inaugural 5K was successful; featuring runners as young and old who wanted to support it's cause. Over $2,000 was raised to be given to education funds and overall, the Bishop's Tuition Assistance fund was given the proceeds as the 5K begins to work towards establishing it's own endowment fund to provide scholarships to students.