It’s common for Westfield Running Club members to support nonprofits each member is involved in. One of those organizations is Bolt for the Heart, an annual 5K race that takes place on Thanksgiving morning to raise money to provide automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, for police cars across the state.
Westfield Police Dept. Chief Joel Rush is a member of the running club, which traditionally participates in Bolt for the Heart. This year, the race is virtual, but club members still plan to participate.
“They donated AEDs to (43) of our police vehicles last year, so we want to help continue with that effort,” Westfield Running Club member Angie Frazier said. “Since COVID happened, Bolt for the Heart can’t be a live event, and they chose to go virtual, so we will create our own 5K on the morning of Thanksgiving.”
At least 15 club members will run or walk on Thanksgiving morning. The Westfield Running Club will run north on the Monon, starting at Grand Park.
Runners register through the Bolt for the Heart website for the organization to still receive financial support. The Westfield Running Club wants to raise $500 for the organization.
“Through our amazing partnership with Bolt for the Heart, we were able to place a lifesaving AED in every patrol car. In 2020, our officers were able to save several lives that may have otherwise been lost,” Rush said.
The Westfield Running Club has started meeting again. It did not meet during quarantine. It now meets Wednesdays and Saturdays.
For more, visit Westfield Running Club on Facebook. There are no membership dues, and walkers are welcome.
