Rap River Run
Youth & Family Alternatives, Inc. (YFA) is a non-profit social services agency in Pasco County that promotes healthy families and child protection throughout 13 counties across Florida. They offer foster care/adoption services, case management, school outreach programs, and they operate three runaway, homeless and youth crisis shelters. They also rely heavily on federal, state, local and private funds.
In 2007 Rich Bekesh spearheaded an effort to create a 5K run to support YFA (Rap River Run). Today this is one of the largest 5K races in the Bay area. We believe our contribution of time and resources has impacted YFA by not only raising needed funds for YFA so they can provide the necessary, critical services for all families and children in need, but also raising community awareness significantly.
Planning for this event begins several months prior to the race day. Members of our firm attend monthly meetings and have been involved every year to ensure the 5K runs as smoothly as possible. Other members of our firm volunteer on the day of the race, handing out water, manning booths, and encouraging runners. We also have had several members participate in the run over the past several years.
Our firm has donated thousands of dollars to this worthy cause over the years, but what makes us stand out is the creativity and innovation of Mr. Bekesh as a tireless advocate for YFA. From garnering support from friends and other community business leaders to support the race, to hosting fund raising events at his home, to in-kind contributions of our firm’s professional services for crisis shelters, to helping secure funding for programs through legislative appropriations, Mr. Bekesh’s and Spring Engineering, Inc.’s philanthropic efforts stand out well beyond the typical charitable contributions made by many other companies in the Tampa Bay area.
We have made a long term commitment to YFA since 2001. Mr. Bekesh has served on its Board of Directors now for 14 years and is also a Past Chair for 3 of those years. In addition to being a sponsor, we will continue companywide to help grow the annual Rap River Run event and promote community awareness for YFA.
