Woman Is Giving $1,000 To Half Marathon Team, If They Can Beat Her

NAPERVILLE, IL — Kate Schneider will give $1,000 to a worthy cause if anyone on her team can beat her in Sunday’s half marathon. She organized a running group this year for the first time to help raise money for her organization which helps recovering addicts avoid the pitfalls of recovery and move forward with their lives. Her work in an in-treatment facility gave impetus to the nonprofit. There, she found traditional therapy isn’t enough for some. Witnessing relapse after relapse led her to believe there must be something more for them.

“I asked [my patients] what kinds of things do you think you need to sustain sobriety? It seemed like that wheel is somewhat broken,” she said. Schneider has seen addiction treated like it’s something to be ashamed of, and that doesn’t lead to healing. When she asks that question, she says, they all come back with the same answer: a need for some kind of network outside of the formal channels of recovery paired with accountability.

Ignite Hope is still in its infancy, but already, she’s seen results. The organization recruits 16 to 25-year-olds who are in recovery from substance abuse and are already engaged with an outpatient treatment program or who are working with an addiction therapist. Mariusz Czech of Des Plaines is one such recruit. About a year ago, he met Schneider at Recover Connection, a meetup group in Niles he attends regularly. When she spoke about her organization, immediately, he became intrigued at her offer: a free gym membership in exchange for an hour of charity work each month.

“Getting fit is a big thing.” Plus, she adds, “there’s a natural serotonin release you get from working out.” She stresses it’s only a supplement to recovery. Czech, 25, wasn't really motivated to go to the gym before, "but since Ignite Hope paid for it, I went more. I didn’t want to waste the money.” He was always a scrawny kid, he said. But the membership makes him feel better about his strength and his body. It’s important to him to take care of himself. Additionally, it jump-started him to go back to school. “I need recovery more than I need fitness, but the two working alongside is great.”

Czech assures, his road to recovery hasn’t been easy, but “Ignite Hope offers me an opportunity to grow in other areas of my life that recovery doesn’t necessarily worry about. Recovery is spiritual-oriented. Yeah, we talk about getting financially fit and physically fit, but Ignite Hope covers those areas better.” He feels more focused, driven.

Czech was enthusiastic when asked about the required charity work. He chose Feed My Starving Children, which helps make and package food for youth in third world countries.

“At the end of it, you get to find out how many kids you’ve fed, and then you get to try it out. It’s not bad,” he laughed. He thrives on the tangible results he gets from the work, which makes it easier to extend his monthly one hour obligation.

Whether he’ll beat Schneider in Sunday’s half marathon is up in the air, but in a way, he’s already won. He even managed to recruit a few people from his gym in Skokie to join him on the Ignite Hope half marathon team. The $1,000 prize money was obtained through fundraisers and private donations from the community. It will go toward education or career development. Those who are on the team each pledged $150 to go toward associated costs of Ignite Hope, like scholarship funding.

Sunday’s half marathon and 5k starts at 7 a.m. on Eagle Street in Naperville. If you’re inspired by Schnedier and Czech’s story, consider donating to the cause.

Image via Shutterstock