Van Go will host a fundraiser event — a morning through the Lawrence Loop followed by a party — at the beginning of May in support of the youth-based arts organization’s wellness programs and resources.
May Day Hey Day is a “family friendly, go-at-your-own-pace community walk, ride, roll, and run along the Lawrence Loop,” held in support of Van Go’s wellness initiative, Go Healthy, according to Van Go’s event page. With a “holistic approach,” Go Healthy programming provides mental health support, healthy snacks and summer lunches, education on nutrition and wellness, and exercising, according to the page.
“Go Healthy provides a holistic approach to self-care and wellness that translates well into job-readiness work,” according to a Van Go news release. “Through a variety of educational opportunities and experiential practice, youth learn that when they take good care of themselves outside of the work environment, they are the best prepared to perform in the workplace and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”
Currently and through Saturday, May 6 — the day of the event — community members are encouraged to join a fundraising challenge, either as individuals or teams. Individual participants aim to crowdfund with a $150 fundraising goal, or teams of up to 10 people aim for $1,000 altogether, according to the event page. Visit this link to register as an individual or a team.
May Day Hey Day will take place Saturday morning, and those who want to get active can choose their desired starting points on the Lawrence Loop and then get moving for as long as they’d like. According to the event page, recommended starting points include:
• 1-mile route: Start at Burroughs Creek Park (900 E. 15th St.) around 9:30 a.m.
• 3-mile route: Start at Haskell Avenue & 29th Street (910 E. 29th St.) around 8:45 a.m.
• 5-mile route: Start at Van Go “Restoration” mural (31st and Louisiana streets) around 8 a.m.
After the morning’s journey through the Loop, participants are encouraged to join together for a party in the Van Go parking lot. The fun will feature music by DJ Approach, and local vendors will offer a variety of refreshments and activities, including bagels and coffee from Cellar Door, a craft cocktail from Bon Bon Cocktail Club, The Last Carnival’s Ruckus Wagon, a succulent planting station a la Jungle House, and a photo booth, the event page said.
The May Day Hey Day walk, ride, roll and run through the Lawrence Loop will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 6 and the party will follow from 10 a.m. to noon at Van Go, 715 New Jersey St. in East Lawrence.
All are welcome to attend but must purchase tickets at this link or by calling 785-842-3797. General tickets cost $25 per person, and tickets that include a T-shirt cost $40 per person, according to the page.
Those who order T-shirts as well as all participants can pick up their T-shirts and event packets from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 4 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 5 at Van Go to be prepared ahead of Saturday’s activities. A range of T-shirt sizes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and each packet will include a map of the routes, event merch and other goodies, according to the event page. Extra T-shirts not sold will be available at the party for $20 each.
Van Go is a youth arts organization and employment program for teens and young adults in Douglas County. Youth between the ages of 14 and 24 can be paid for working with Van Go while honing in on their artistic skills and passions.
Learn more about Van Go at van-go.org.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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