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Mother Nature cooperated with the Davie Community Foundation SURF.Board on Feb. 26 as the board hosted the 10th POPSICLE 5K.

Temperatures were chilly keeping the name intact, but thankfully the rain held off until later in the day.

One hundred and forty-seven runners supported SURF by registering for the run.

Davie High Senior Andrew Brown from Advance was the overall 5K winner, and Lucia Ellis from Mocksville finished first among the female runners. I

n addition to raffle prizes, the top times for male and female age groups were rewarded with first, second, and third place medals.

Runners held to the POPSICLE 5K tradition by eating a popsicle after crossing the finish line. If they chose not to eat a popsicle, there was a variety of foods waiting for them inside, highlighted by grilled cheese and soup, a favorite among the runners.

The planning and execution of the POPSICLE 5K is handled by the 24 young people serving on the SURF Board Youth Grantmakers.

SURF begins planning the 5K in the fall with students in charge of every aspect of the run guided by Advisor Tami Daniel. They organize into marketing, logistics, food and fun, and participants and incentives committees to make planning more manageable.

The entire board solicits sponsors from local businesses, friends, and family. They secured more than 50 sponsors for the 2022 run.Volunteers are vital for the run and the majority of those positions were also filled by high school students.

SURF will use the profits of almost $9,000 to make grants for youth-led projects in Davie County. The grant application is open and available through the Davie Community Foundation at www.daviefoundation.org/youthsurf/ (scroll down to the apply now button). The application deadline is March 25 at noon.

“From beginning to end, the POPSICLE 5K teaches and empowers young people to make a positive difference in the Davie community,” said Jane Simpson, president and CEO of the foundation. “Thank you to all the sponsors, runners, and volunteers who made the day a success. Your investment in the youth of our county will pay dividends in the future.”

To learn more about the foundation, contact Simpson at (336) 753-6903 or jsimpson@daviefoundation.org or visit the foundation’s website, www.daviefoundation.org.