By Jim Newell

Review Editor

This October is the one time of the year that Orion Township firefighters would encourage everyone to run with fire, hitting the streets of Lake Orion for the first Run with Fire 5k run/walk.

The Orion Township Fire Department hosts its first run/walk and free kids run to promote Fire Prevention Month and Fire Safety/Awareness. The free kids run is after the 5k and participants do not need to pre-register, except if they would like to purchase a shirt.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Orion Township Goodfellows, a group of firefighters within the fire department who provide food and gift baskets to area families in need of assistance during the holidays.

Firefighter Brian Hearns is the event director for the race. Hearns, joined the department in 2008 and was elected this year as the new president of the Goodfellows.

“Chris Hagan and I had talked about doing a race in the past,” Hearns said. “In 2016, I was on shift and the Goodfellows were going through the stuff they had for the families. So, I’m watching them do this and they were talking about how they had average donations and a record number of families.

“It was really that day that I thought we should do some fundraiser so that they are not so burdened. What if they get more families asking for help? They are not going to turn anyone away,” Hearns said.

The 5k will start and finish in front of Orion Fire Station #1 on Anderson Street, pass through Children’s Park and along the Paint Creek Trail and finish at the fire station.

The top finishers in each age group will get medals and there is a special trophy to the top performing fire department and top firefighter finishers.

Bottled water, bananas and bagels donated by Hollywood Market will be available post-race.

There also will be literature on fire safety prevention and an opportunity for kids to meet firefighters and explore a fire engine.

“They don’t even have to participate in the race, they can just show up,” Hearns said.

While Hearns is hoping to raise as much money as possible to support the Goodfellows efforts, he knows every little bit helps.

“I was hoping for 200 people, initially. I was told that could be achievable. We don’t really have any goal, anything set. Whatever we can give to them will help out. Hopefully, every year the race will grow,” he said.

“I would also like to acknowledge that my wife, Elizabeth Hearns, has been my ‘right hand man’ behind the scenes, helping to get this race going. She’s attended meetings with myself and Bob Busquaert from Eastside Racing Co., helped create the race name and logo, as well as her involvement with the Goodfellows.”