Community Corner
Support U.S. Troops At Our Fallen Hero 5K Saturday In Mokena
The 9th annual run will benefit USO Illinois, which supports nearly 350,000 military members and their families in the state.
MOEKNA, IL — Willowview Park in Mokena will be full of military supporters and race enthusiasts Saturday for the ninth annual running of the Our Fallen Hero 5k Run/Walk.
The event is hosted by the Our Fallen Hero Foundation in Memory of PFC Aaron Toppen, a Mokena resident who was killed while serving in the Army overseas in Afghanistan in 2014.
Proceeds from the event will go toward USO Illinois' No-Dough Dinners, which provides a free monthly meal to all currently serving military members and their spouses and children, said Our Fallen Hero 5k Run/Walk Race Director Brittany Oskielunas.
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Oskielunas has been with the foundation since it began in 2018. She said she's seen the 5K grow "tremendously" over the years.
"This year, our numbers are increasing even more," Oskielunas said. "So it's really exciting to see that the community is still behind the Toppen family 100 percent and is dedicated to this organization."
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Our Fallen 5K Run/Walk is a 3.1-mile race through the streets of Mokena that begins and ends at Willowview Park, 11420 197th St. Registration and packet pick up begins at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Registration closes at 7 a.m., and the race begins at 8 a.m. An awards ceremony with refreshments, raffles and music entertainment will follow at 9:15 a.m.
Awards will be given to the the top overall male and female, as well as 1st-place finisher in each age category. Age categories are: under than 15; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 30-49; 50-59; 60-69; and 70 and up.
Same-day registration will be available for the race. Cost is $30 for adults and $20 for those under the age of 18. People can with cash, credit card or check, Oskielunas said.
Parking will be available at the Mokena Elementary School entrance off Wolf Road, and at the Mokena Intermediate School entrance off 195th Street. Street parking will also be available along 195th street.
For more information on this event and more, visit the Our Fallen Hero Foundation in Memory of PFC Aaron Toppen website.
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