Samaritas Team Players

Rodney Golpe, a software engineer at Rocket Loans, is a runner, a husband, and a very proud dad to kindergartner, Jacobi. He is running the Detroit Free Press Marathon for his 50th birthday, and raising funds for Samaritas in gratitude for his son. He says,

“[My wife] Melissa and I chose Samaritas to guide us through the foster care and adoption process back in 2016. Little did we know, at the end of that year, our baby, Jacobi, had just been born! He lived with his absolutely unbelievable foster parents -- now affectionately known to him as Nana and Pops -- until we met him in 2018 and fell completely in love. The Samaritas team in Troy helped us navigate every step of the way, from home inspections and training to "choosing" Jacobi and establishing a schedule to transition him into our home. We are so grateful for them!”

Good luck, Rodney! We know you will run strong for Team Ripples!

There are 2 ways to run and support Samaritas in 2022!

Run For A Reason

Detroit Free Press Marathon

Join us as part of

Team Ripple Effects!

Samaritas is recruiting runners for its Team Ripple Effects, sponsored by Delta Dental of Michigan. There are several races to choose from! Check them out on the Detroit Free Press Marathon website.

As a member of Team Ripple Effects, you'll receive a free Samaritas t-shirt and other goodies. If you've already registered and want to run for our team, let us know, and we'll add you to our roster. Contact Kayla Park by email at kpark@samaritas.org or Beth Birkholz at ebirk@samaritas.org to join.

Runners 4 Samaritas Fundraiser

Samaritas is one of many official Detroit Free Press Marathon Charities that may benefit from the generosity of people like you. It's why they are offering participating runners the chance to fundraise on our behalf.

Just choose Samaritas from the dropdown list of official charities and follow the instructions to set up your own personal GoFundMe account to encourage your friends and families to cheer on Team Ripples and help Samaritas continue its mission: Serving others as an expression of the love of Christ.

For more information on the marathon, please contact Kayla Park at kpark@Samaritas.org.

You can also show your support by donating at Give to the cause!

Lutheran Adoption Services, a jointly owned subsidiary of Samaritas and Wellspring Lutheran Services is raising funds and awareness to support children and families throughout Michigan in finding their forever homes!

Join us at the 8th annual Forever Home Run! This year we will have both a virtual and an in-person option. The in-person event takes place on October 8th at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church , event host and co-chair, and includes two races: a 5k through beautiful Bloomfield Hills complete with fall foliage and a 1k Dress-Up Dash! You are welcome to wear your favorite costume for the 5k or the Dress-Up Dash.

There will be medals for all finishers, prizes for overall winners, and the top runner in each category.

There will also be children's activities and community vendors. Register Here

On-Site Run option taking place Saturday, October 8th,

and/or

Virtual Run Options anytime between October 7th-9th

Become an agent of change! You are cordially invited to join Olympic Gold Medalist, Adoptive Father and Best Selling Author, Scott Hamilton, for an unforgettable evening filled with mission and fun surprise elements at the Samaritas Be the Rock Gala on Friday, November 4th at The Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.

Thank you Grand Rapids for starting a huge Ripple!

Our Agents of Change in Grand Rapids made a huge impact at our Be the Rock Gala! Because of you and your commitment to serving others in need, Samaritas raised $292,722 (and counting)!

To our patrons in Southeast Michigan... You have some huge competition this year! Let's see who will raise the most money for Samaritas in 2022.

Tickets are almost sold out! Visit Samaritas.org/Ripples-Gala for more information or contact Patricia Sliter - Patricia.Sliter@samaritas.org

UPDATE

2022 FOSTER CARE TOWN HALL: Part II

Access to and Promotion of Kinship Care and Racial Disparity

www.samaritas.org