Millersville, Pa. – The Millersville softball team prides itself on its work around the community to make a difference. The Marauders were in the giving spirit again this holiday season, as they assisted event organizers in their fourth straight Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis on Sunday, Dec. 11 in Lancaster.
 
The Marauders were a big help in setting up and helping with event operations. Head coach Kathy Cummings felt her team had a special role this year. “Although we have helped with this specific fundraiser before, this year we felt we were more involved than ever,” Cummings said.
 
Arriving two hours early to help set up, the team was designated different jobs. The team helped check in pre-registered participants and ran the walk-up registration table for people wanting to sign up on the day of the event. Before the race, the Marauders also distributed long sleeve t-shirts to everyone participating in the race.
 
Right before the race started, the Marauders got in position on the course, stationed at eight different locations to help with traffic, cheer on the participants as they ran and guide them in the right direction. Some Marauders also helped with crowd control and kept participants moving through the finish line to avoid backup because of the high volume of participants at this year's event.
 
“I think [the beautiful day] brought out more people than we've seen in the past couple years,” Cummings said, attributing the spike in this year's attendance to prior years' weather conditions, which have been cold and rainy. “I know that doing this made us all very proud and we truly enjoy helping such a great cause.”
 
The 5K run/walk is designed to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Participants are encouraged to tie jingle bells to their shoelaces as they run. This event is in its 25^th year and includes a 5K chip-timed run or a one mile fun run. You can find out more about the Jingle Run/Walk here, or watch this informational video about it.