Harnessing the power of Action Heroes, Action Dash 5K has its first victory

Superman, Wonder Woman, Real-life Olympians & Thousands More Show Support for New Family Friendly Event Helping People to be an Action Hero for a Day

Harnessing the mighty power of action heroes from all walks of life, thousands of runners and volunteers recently joined forces to make the first-ever Action Dash a victory.

Sponsored by Action Ministries, family- friendly 5K run/walk events were held simultaneously in Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Gainesville and Rome on Labor Day and raised a total of over $100,000 that the nonprofit will use to provide the hunger, housing and education solutions that help our neighbors in need move toward independence.

According to representatives of Action Ministries, the strong showing for the 2012 event means Action Dash will be held again on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2013.

“Action Dash 2012 was definitely an effort worthy of Superman,” said John R. Moeller, Jr., president and CEO of Action Ministries. “We are grateful that so many people from all across Georgia joined us for a new Labor Day tradition and supported Action Dash in a way that truly made the event a success. Thanks to their support we can help even more people transform their lives.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, Action Ministries representatives publicized the action hero theme by meeting with the mayors of Athens, Augusta, Gainesville and Rome and conducting formal investiture ceremonies – or “caping” ceremonies – where a royal blue action hero cape was draped on the shoulders of a local dignitary. Accompanied by the strains of the Superman theme song, Action Ministries representatives publicly recognized these individuals for their commitment to public service and bestowed upon them the title of honorary Action Hero “with all the honors, rights, privileges thereunto appertaining.”

As a result of these visits, communities all across the North Georgia Conference learned that Action Ministries believes “an Action Hero is an ordinary person who goes out of their way to help someone in need or is someone in need who works through adversity toward self-sufficiency.”

Many racers heeded the organization’s call and wore their favorite Action Hero costume as they and ran, walked or strolled to raise awareness about Georgia’s poverty-related challenges. They were joined by real-life sports heroes including Olympian Tim Hornsby, 12-time U.S. national champion and the nation’s #1 ranked paddler, who served as grand marshal of Action Dash in Atlanta. Olympian Andrew Gemmell, American long-distance freestyle swimmer and 2012 Olympian, served as grand marshal of Action Dash in Athens.

Donation information for those who were unable to attend is available at www.actiondash.org.

Follow Action Dash online at www.facebook.com/ActionDash and https://twitter.com/ActionDash1.