(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The On Our Sleeves 5K for Children’s Mental Health will be held for the first time at the 2023 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew’s Lower.com Field on Saturday, May 4, at 9 a.m. The race, hosted by the Columbus Crew with lead support by founding partners Big Lots and Nationwide, is a community run and walk to grow awareness, break stigmas, and raise funds for The On Our Sleeves® Movement For Children’s Mental Health.
The mission of On Our Sleeves, founded by Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2018, is to provide free, expert-created mental health resources to all U.S. communities in order to build a world where mental health is a vital part of the upbringing of every child.
“We are so excited to be holding this year’s 5K at the Columbus Crew’s Lower.com Field,” said Whitney Raglin Bignall, PhD associate clinical director of On Our Sleeves and pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Not only are one in five children living with a significant mental health concern, but all children experience strong emotions and have difficult moments at times . Every participant in the 5K is helping us provide resources that teach mental health and wellness skills, so all adults with a kid in their life both in central Ohio and across the country can understand and promote children’s mental health.”
With a goal of 2,000 participants, plus hundreds of spectators and volunteers, the race will start and finish at the stadium and will take participants on a beautiful walk or run through the heart of Downtown Columbus. Once participants have completed the 5K, they are invited to celebrate in the Chase Plaza at Lower.com Field until noon. There will be fun activities, snacks, beverages and more.
“We are honored that Lower.com Field has the opportunity to support the success of this year’s On Our Sleeves 5K as Nationwide Children’s Hospital does phenomenal work to champion resources and awareness for kids’ mental health during this event and throughout the year,” said Chief of Strategy & Development at Haslam Sports Group Josh Glessing. “The Crew are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the Columbus community through promoting youth soccer and education resources, both of which can play an important part in the overall well-being of our local youth.”
Registration is now open, and, for the first time, participants can choose to register for the VIP Columbus Crew Cup Team.
When you register as a member of the VIP Crew Cup Team, you will be eligible for exclusive Crew special experiences and swag items. To learn more about the details and register, click here.
The race starts at 9 a.m. at the stadium (96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, OH 43215). Packet pick-up begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program starts at 8:40 a.m. Reserve a parking spot here.
If you cannot make it downtown on race day, you can register online to run or walk virtually in your own neighborhood. For general participants, the cost to register is $1, with a commitment to raise or donate a minimum of $50 on or before May 5. Participants will receive a T-shirt and medal.
The On Our Sleeves 5K would not be possible without the generous support of founding partners, Big Lots and Nationwide.
“Big Lots is proud to have supported the On Our Sleeves 5K since its inception”. Said Mike Schlonsky, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at Big Lots. “It’s a special opportunity to bring the community together and show our support for young people while raising awareness for the stigmas surrounding children’s mental health.”
“Supporting the On Our Sleeves movement for children’s mental health is a priority for Nationwide and an important component of our partnership with the Crew,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “We’re honored to join Crew fans and the central Ohio community to raise funds, break stigmas and provide mental health resources to families.”
The 5K is also made possible by platinum sponsors Safelite and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For more information, please contact Audrey Hasson at audrey.hasson@NationwideChildrens.org.
About The On Our Sleeves® Movement For Children’s Mental Health
Children don’t wear their thoughts on their sleeves. With 1 in 5 children living with a significant mental health concern and half of all lifetime mental health concerns starting by age 14, we need to give them a voice. The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health, created by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the United States’ largest network of pediatric behavioral health treatment providers and researchers, is on a mission to give expert-created resources to all U.S. communities so everyone can understand and promote mental health for children. Our vision is to build a world where mental health is a part of the upbringing of every single child. Nearly 1,000 mental health professionals and researchers at Nationwide Children’s, in partnership with other trusted experts, provide their real-world knowledge and expertise to power On Our Sleeves.
Since the inception of On Our Sleeves in 2018, more than 11 million people in every state across the United States has interacted with the movement’s free pediatric mental health education resources at OnOurSleeves.org.