Aside from the view of color-changing leaves and an autumn breeze, running for a cause was taking place early Saturday morning.

Chi Omega hosted its first 5K Walk for Wishes with all donations going to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Registration began promptly at 7 a.m. at the Chi Omega sorority house on East Summit Street in Kent. The gun sounded at 9 a.m. to cue racers, who followed a route that winded throughout Kent State’s campus.

Kate Casserlie, senior Chi Omega member and zoology major, said the turnout for this first-year event was exciting.

“We had such a great turnout with Greeks and the community,” she said. “It worked out really well.”

Chi Omega projected for 50 race participants. However, 39 people ran in the 5K on Saturday. Racers included many friends and family members of the sorority sisters, as well as members of other Greek groups on campus.

A few groups involved in the fundraiser included Sigma Sigma Sigma, Sigma Nu and Delta Gamma, among others.

Money was raised through race participants as well as through various donations. Chi Omega raised a total of $1,110.

Local businesses such as Starbucks, Subway and Target donated gift cards that were used as awards for the winners of the race.

Black Squirrel Radio was also a significant part of the event, playing music and making announcements for Chi Omega.

Casserlie, who was in charge of the event, was grateful for the guidance she received from Jason Hawk, interim marketing assistant for the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. He helped with promotional ideas and contacting businesses for donations, she said.

Casserlie and Chi Omega used several ways to advertise for the event. They created a Facebook group, talked to other Greek groups and printed and posted more than 1,000 fliers.

KC Martin, senior Chi Omega member and physical education major, was surprised at the success of the event.

“There was not much time to get prepared,” Martin said. “It turned out better than expected.”

The sorority expects next year to be even more successful now that it has an idea of how to organize and prepare for the event.

“We learn a lot from experience,” Martin said.

Other past Chi Omega fundraisers included a Zoo Walk at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and a flag football game exclusively for Greeks.

Casserlie liked this event because it got others involved.

“We’re definitely hoping on having another one next year,” she said. “Knowing what to do and not going in blind, we’ll hopefully be even more successful.”

Donations are still being accepted for the next two to three weeks. Contact Chi Omega at [email protected] for more information.

Contact Greek life reporter Tracy Tucholski at [email protected].