There’s something about watching a crowd come together—kids in sneakers, parents cheering, neighbors waving from the sidelines. For one morning, everyone moves with the same goal in mind: to lift up the children who need us most. That’s the spirit behind our Sunny Glen 5K fundraiser in Harlingen, TX, and why we hold it year after year.
More than a race, it’s a celebration of care. It’s a symbol of steady steps taken together and a reminder that love can show up in so many ways—even through running shoes, bibs, and finish line hugs.
A Walk, A Run, A Statement of Support
This September 20, we’ll gather again at McKelvey Park in Harlingen. The 5K begins at 8:00 AM, followed by the 1-Mile Fun Run at 8:05 AM. This year, we’re offering free registration to the first 200 children (12 & under), making it easier than ever for families to join in.
When we invite the community to this event, we’re not just inviting people to run at a fundraiser. We’re inviting them to stand with us, to say and show, through their presence, that children matter. That no child should feel forgotten or left behind.
Over the years, we’ve watched the crowd grow: seasoned runners in race gear, young kids in bright sneakers, parents pushing strollers, classmates in matching shirts. All of them moving for the same reason: to show that compassion is still powerful.
Each participant is helping fund a future. All proceeds go directly to Sunny Glen Children’s Home, supporting children who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, and uncertainty. When you walk or run, you’re helping carry them toward healing.
Every Step Helps a Child Heal
Healing doesn’t happen all at once. It’s built through small, consistent acts of care. That’s what the 5K makes possible.
Funds raised from this event help us provide the essentials—food, shelter, clothing—but they also support the deeper work. The kind that takes time. The kind that rebuilds trust, restores safety, and renews a child’s sense of self-worth.
At Sunny Glen Children’s Home, we don’t just offer a place to stay. We offer a place to grow. That means warm meals, safe beds, one-on-one support, and space to dream again. For children who’ve experienced trauma, these are the foundations of healing.
When you register, donate, or even share the event with someone else, you’re helping us sustain this work. One step at a time, you help remind a child they’re not alone. That someone is walking—and running—for them.
Trust-Based Care in Every Mile
At the core of our care is Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), a trauma-informed method rooted in connection, consistency, and compassion. We’ve used this approach since 2018 to reach children who have every reason not to trust the world.
TBRI® equips our team to meet each child where they are—emotionally, behaviorally, and spiritually. It guides how we teach boundaries, respond to triggers, and build relationships that don’t break under stress. And it reminds us that healing starts with being seen and known.
This work requires training, intention, and time. That’s why every dollar raised through the 5K matters. It supports staff education, emotional safety resources, and the kind of environment where kids learn they are safe to grow.
When you step onto the race path, you become part of this work. You’re not just supporting care—you’re living it.
A Family-Friendly Event with Heart
The Sunny Glen 5K is made for everyone. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or simply want to stroll alongside your family, you’ll be part of something joyful and meaningful. There’s the competitive spirit, encouragement, and a feeling of purpose you can’t quite describe.
Every participant receives a bib, t-shirt, medal, and goodie bag. But what stays with you isn’t the stuff but the spirit. People leave with full hearts and stories to tell. And every year, new faces join in, adding their energy to this growing tradition of care.
With free registration for the first 200 children, we hope more families than ever can join us. Bring your students, bring your coworkers, bring your neighbors. We’ll have room for everyone.
If you’d like to make an even bigger difference, we invite you to become a sponsor. Sponsors help us cover costs and reach more children with steady support all year long.
Our Title Sponsor ($12,000) will see their company name and logo on every t-shirt, finisher medal, printed piece, our website, social media, race start and turn signs, trail signage, and more—plus a 15-person run team and free vendor tables on race day.
Our Bib Sponsor ($2,500) puts your name on every runner’s bib and includes signage, materials, trail signs, website and social promotion, a free vendor table, and a 10-person run team.
The Kidz Run Sponsor ($1,000) helps cover the cost for children 12 and under to run free and includes signage, printed and online promotion, a vendor table, and a 10-person team.
A Run Team Sponsorship ($500) supports free entries for kids and comes with race day signage, online promotion, a vendor table, and a 10-person run team.
Or you can join as a Trail Sign Sponsor ($100) and see your name along the run trail plus a thank-you on our social media.
Why We Keep Showing Up
Consistency changes lives. Children at Sunny Glen have often experienced instability. But when they see the same event return year after year, when they see strangers keep showing up just for them, it sends a powerful message.
That’s why we hold this race annually. It’s a rhythm of care our children can count on. It tells them that they’re worth the effort.
We also keep showing up for each other. For our team. For our supporters. For the reminder that we are stronger together than we are alone.
And every time we lace up our shoes, we’re reminded that love doesn’t stop at our campus gate. It runs through our streets, our parks, and our people.
More Than a Moment: The Long-Term Impact
It’s easy to think of events like this as one-day efforts. But the truth is, the impact of this Sunny Glen 5K fundraiser in Harlingen, TX echoes throughout the year.
It shows up in a therapy breakthrough. In a birthday celebration. In the quiet confidence of a child learning to trust again.
The funds raised from this one morning help us carry out our mission every day. That includes staff training, spiritual development, school support, and the extra things that turn a shelter into a home.
One race becomes one memory. That memory becomes one step toward healing. And that healing lasts far beyond the finish line.
Built on Values, Grown in Faith
We don’t just believe in what we do. We believe in why we do it. Our work is built on the values of respect, understanding, trust, and love. They guide how we care for children, train our staff, and welcome our community.
Since 1936, Sunny Glen has been a refuge for abused, neglected, and forgotten children. Our faith-based roots remind us that every life has value and every story can be redeemed with the right care.
We don’t preach at our events, but we do carry our beliefs in how we show up. In how we serve. And in how we love children, without condition and without pause.
How You Can Help Beyond Race Day
If you can’t attend this year, there are still so many ways to support our mission.
You can volunteer at our campus, donate online, or simply share the event link with a friend. You can also contact our team to learn more about how your skills or resources can help year-round.
The event is just one morning. But the love behind it? That lasts forever.
FAQs About Sunny Glen and the 5K Fundraiser
What is the purpose of the Sunny Glen 5K fundraiser?
The 5K supports children living at Sunny Glen Children’s Home by raising funds for trauma-informed care, daily essentials, and enrichment programs that foster healing.
When and where is the 2025 event?
The 2025 event is on Saturday, September 20, at McKelvey Park in Harlingen. The 5K starts at 8:00 AM and the 1-Mile Fun Run begins at 8:05 AM.
What does registration include?
All participants receive a race bib, medal, t-shirt, and goodie bag. The first 200 children (age 12 and under) can register for free.
What is Sunny Glen Children’s Home?
Sunny Glen is a nonprofit, faith-based children’s home in San Benito, TX. We serve children who have experienced abuse or neglect by providing a safe, stable, and healing environment.
Join Us at the Starting Line
The Sunny Glen 5K fundraiser in Harlingen, TX is essentially a reflection of who we are: a people called to care, a community willing to move, a place where children are reminded that they matter.
We hope you’ll join us. Let’s keep running toward hope, together.