February 04, 2025 | rivertonjournal.com online article

The Cupid Chase 5K combines paper and actual hearts for Valentine’s Day.

On Feb. 8, in two Utah locations and 13 states, Community Options is hosting the 17th annual Cupid Chase 5K to raise money for those with disabilities to work, learn and find housing.

“The Cupid’s Chase 5K was inspired by Community Options’ commitment to raising awareness and funds to support housing and employment for individuals with disabilities,” said Shannon Wilkins, Community Option’s director of employment services and development in the West Valley office. “The event is held every February to commemorate the organization’s founding on February 9, 1989.”

Two races in Utah will be hosted at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City and Lorin Farr Park in Ogden to raise funds for the organization and local individuals.

The other 46 races will be held across the country in 12 states: Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

The race was first created in 2009 in Princeton, New Jersey and has become bigger every year since. It came to Utah in 2018.

Fun traditions have followed the event from region to region including runners wearing “unavailable” and “available” T-shirts.

“To match the Cupid theme, participants wear special shirts: ‘Available’ is printed on the back of white shirts, while ‘Unavailable’ appears on red shirts,” Wilkins said. “This playful feature adds a fun, Valentine’s Day twist to the event.”

Wilkins has worked for Community Options for seven years.

For her, the mission of the nonprofit matches her own personal values.

“I have a personal belief that all people should have the opportunity to live and work in their communities,” she said. “Community Options’ mission to support people with disabilities with housing employment, aligns with my personal beliefs.”

In 2024, the two races in Utah combined raised $15,000 of the nationally collected amount of $733,605 nationally. Wilkins said the goal is to increase that number this year.

Funds raised in all 46 races keep funds local to help local people with disabilities struggling with housing and employment.

The funds have made a difference in individual Utahn’s lives.

“An individual came into our services after her husband passed away, she had little to no resources of living on her own,” Wilkins said. “She did not know how to access available resources. Through Community Options she has learned to budget, prepare meals and her mental and physical health has drastically improved. She loves attending her day program and being a valued member of her community and church. Rebecca has started her own jewelry business making custom bracelets and necklaces and sells them at boutiques and other events.”

To register for the race, visit www.comop.org/cupidschase/.