Austin Sunshine Run aims to raise $80,000 to send kids to camp

As many as 3,000 runners are expected to fill Austin's Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores Sunday morning to help create a special opportunity for disadvantaged children.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As many as 3,000 runners are expected to fill Austin's Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores Sunday morning to help create a special opportunity for disadvantaged children.

It's expected to raise $80,000, which will help send more than 500 kids to the Austin Sunshine Camps this summer.

The camps were first founded by the Austin Young Men's Business League in 1928, and have run every year since.

The goal is to provide the magic of overnight camps, without the barrier of cost.

Maritza Lopez is an assistant director with the camps, but started out as a camper years ago. She said being able to attend, and for free, exposed her to new opportunities and experiences.

"I was able to do archery when I was younger, do a lot of arts and crafts, walks, and do a lot of hikes here in Austin's Zilker Park, so it's amazing."

The camps are available for kids ages 8-11 at Zilker Park, and 12-15 at Lake Travis.

Camp sessions are all ten days and nine nights long, with the exception of one week for eight and nine-year-olds that is a seven-day session.

The Austin Sunshine Run starts Sunday, May 5 at 7:55 a.m., and registration is still open.

Among the races are a 10K, 5K, Kids K, and even a fastest dog run.

Lopez said she's seen the opportunity to go away to camp help transform kids.

"They kind of like blossom into new people and they expand their horizons and try new things and get out of their comfort zone, which they normally wouldn't probably when they were home," she said.