WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), needs 50 volunteer runners to join her charity team in this year’s Army Ten-Miler on Oct. 8 in Washington, D.C. The Archdiocese is counting on Team AMS to raise $60,000 in charitable donations to support vocations, evangelization, and other religious programs for Catholic families in the United States Military, veterans hospitalized in the nation’s VA Medical Centers, and civilians working for the federal government beyond U.S. borders. Both runners and donors can sign up at milarch.rallybound.org. Prospective corporate sponsors are asked to contact the AMS Advancement Office, at support@milarch.org or (202) 719-3622.
His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, said:
“This is a very positive initiative and it will be an honor for the AMS to have a team running in the Army Ten-Miler and supporting the vast vocations program of this global Archdiocese. I am enthusiastic that the AMS will be represented in this significant race.”
The Army Ten-Miler is produced by the Military District of Washington (MDW). The MDW serves as the Army Forces Component and core staff element of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region to conduct operations that deter, prevent, and respond to threats aimed at the National Capital Region. It also conducts world-class ceremonial, musical, and special events in support of the nation’s leadership. More than 600 Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” volunteer race weekend. Now in its 33rd year, the Army Ten-Miler is held each October.
While Team AMS has participated in past-year Marine Corps Marathons (MCM), this year will be the first time it has taken part in the Army Ten-Miler. In last year’s MCM, Team AMS runners raised, on average, about $1,000 each. Looking forward to this year’s Army Ten-Miler, the AMS hopes 50 runners will each raise at least $500, for a total of at least $25,000. The AMS hopes to raise the balance of its $60,000 goal through corporate sponsorships and other donations.
While proceeds will go to support all AMS programs, one area of special need is Vocations. The Archdiocese is scrambling to fill a desperate shortage of Catholic priests on active duty. The number of Catholic chaplains in all service branches has steadily declined over the past few decades, dropping from more than 400 at the time of 9/11 to 207 today. On the other hand, the number of young men entering seminaries to become chaplains has greatly increased over the past few years, climbing from only seven in 2008 to 37 today. Now, the AMS is struggling to pay for their tuition and other seminary expenses through the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, a vocations partnership between the AMS and cooperating U.S. dioceses. The AMS share of those expenses is projected at nearly three million dollars over the next five years alone. Proceeds from the Army Ten-Miler will help foot the bill.
To register to run with Team AMS in the 2017 Army Ten-Miler, go here. Registration closes Aug. 10.
To support a runner or make a donation, go here. Donations will be taken until one week after the Oct. 8 race.
