By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The clock is ticking for the deadline of the returning Amazing Race, a fundraiser for people in need of help with rent and utilities.
First Call for Help is an organization dedicated to reducing poverty in Ellis County, ensuring access to vital resources for all community members.
The nonprofit hosted its last Amazing Race four years ago, just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the annual event for the foreseeable future.
"The last Amazing Race we had was in 2020 and then literally the next day, everything started shutting down," First Call for Help Client Service Specialist Laura Shoaff said.
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Teams of four can sign up for $200 in total, or each member contributes $50. Businesses can also sponsor teams to assist in covering entry fees.
Every team must have a vehicle and a licensed driver. Participants must be at least 12 years old.
The deadline to sign up is March 24, you can find the registration form here.
In response to the pandemic, the fundraiser was transformed into the "Pandemic Photo Frenzy," where teams engaged in a scavenger hunt and earned points by submitting photos.
"We did that instead so people would be more spread out and they wouldn't be in such close contact," Shoaff said.
The upcoming race marks the sixth edition held in Hays, with proceeds going towards the Second Mile Fund.
"[The Second Mile Funds] help families who are in threat of being evicted. We help pay a portion of their rent," Shoaff said. "People who are struggling to pay their utility bills, this also helps with that."
In preparation for the Amazing Race, Fort Hays State University student Abby Reif, along with her Field Work in Leadership class, assisted in organizing the event.
"We're doing a lot of the handiwork. We have been going around and getting in contact with businesses and planning different challenges," Reif said.
Reif and her classmates are assigned the responsibility of locating ten different businesses and devising a challenge at each location for participants to tackle.
The Amazing Race will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6. Check-in will be at 9:15 a.m.
The team that successfully finishes all the challenges first will earn bragging rights and the honor of having their name on a traveling trophy.
"When teams follow a clue to get to a business, they will complete a challenge before receiving a clue to the next secret location," Shoaff said.
Past challenges have included art projects, car key matching, catching rubber ducks from pools and dancing at the mall.
Previous locations for the Amazing Race have ranged from Home Depot and Hobby Lobby to the Hays Community Theatre and the Car Zone.
Reif said that she wants the race to not only offer an exciting experience for participants but also bring attention to a cause.
"We really want people to enjoy this," she said. "We want to spread awareness to people who may be struggling or need assistance to become aware of First Call for Help."
After the race, team members and volunteers will be provided with T-shirts and lunch, followed by an awards ceremony.
Volunteers interested in signing up are required to travel to designated locations or partner with a driver. You can find the registration form here.
Information regarding teams and volunteer roles will be provided after signing up.
Businesses interested in sponsoring a team or making donations can reach out to First Call for Help of Ellis County on Facebook.
You can also visit their website for more information on services and donations.