Run for the STARS is a 5k road race and fitness walk held at the corner of Washington and Seminary Avenues in Wheaton, Illinois. The net proceeds from the race create camp scholarships for children and adults with disabilities. Summer camp scholarships are not restricted to members of College Church.

WHAT RUN FOR THE STARS 5K MEANS TO ME...

I like doing Run for the STARS (RFTS) with my dad and a lot of other people and I like people cheering for me at the finish line. I can’t wait to go to WALCAMP again. They have a lot of crazy counselors who love Jesus. I like the Bible studies/stories. Peter is the rock!
—Tim Davis, runner and STAR

RFTS is a way I can combine my enjoyment of running with a way to serve in the church. It is also something that our whole family can do and enjoy. Knowing that my whole family—Jane, Hannah, Alison and Graham—help with the STARS throughout the year, this is something I can do to support their interests, as well. It’s fun to see so many people from the church and community supporting such a worthy ministry.
—Craig Farnsworth, runner and RFTS volunteer

When I first began Disability Ministry, I had no idea what God had in store for me. I was “buddied” with Ashley and Kim at the STARS Family Retreat. Those relationships have continued to grow on Sundays and throughout the week as I look forward to sweet notes from Ashley. Being in STARS has really taught me that every part of the body of Christ is important and every STAR wants you to be yourself. I’m very grateful for RFTS because it allows me to go on the retreat as a volunteer free of charge.
—Sarah Papierski, STARS volunteer

I run a lot of races every year, but the one race I make sure to volunteer for is RFTS. It’s an opportunity to meet lots of new folks who might not be familiar with College Church or the STARS ministry. As a runner, I have found RFTS to be such a family-friendly race and we like knowing that our entry fees help support families who struggle with various disabilities. It’s always a fun morning with lots of little kids and jog strollers and we love cheering on the STARS in their race!
—Adam Pratt, runner and RFTS volunteer

We decided to sponsor the first Run for the STARS event because of our love for the STARS ministry. We’ve been a sponsor ever since. RFTS is a great way to get the weekend off to a fun start.... and do some good at the same time. There’s energy and excitement in the air as nearly 500 runners gather for the 5K run through Wheaton. Best of all, the funds send STARS to summer camps for more fun.
—Jamie Fellowes, corporate sponsor and STARS volunteer

As coordinator for the volunteers for RFTS, it is exciting to see the church body rally together to help give the families of the STARS a chance to go to camp. Every year I am amazed at how willing and eager the families of the STARS are to help in any way they can. Working on the race in this way has shown me how vital the STARS ministry is to so many families within and outside of our church family.
—Rick Pflederer, RFTS Committee member

We all benefit. You foster fellowship in the church by working together on the run, we all get exercise, and we as STARS families can attend camp without worry. In truth this is the closest thing to a vacation we get. And in many ways it is better than a personal vacation. Camp is based on fellowship, and that is sweet and encouraging in the Lord.
—Jim Quattrochi, STARS dad






WHAT GOD HAS DONE with the proceeds from Run for the STARS:

$31,000 in scholarships were given in 2008 to 74 individuals and families to attend Christian camps and RFTS was able to underwrite the total cost of having 45 volunteers provide personal assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities at the STARS Family Retreat and STARS Adult Retreat.

For more information on obtaining a camp scholarship, contact Dawn Clark.