The InstigatorGet your donut-eating, beer-guzzling, fund-raising race on…
Donuts. Beer. 0.05 miles. Combined they are a sure sign of the holiday season – or at least of the annual TR Melton Memorial Race for the Rest of Us. It’s a grueling (not really) 0.05-mile (yes, really) foot race that initiates the kick-off of the Tips for Tots fundraiser.
The fun takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 4, 2022, at f/Stop Fitzgerald’s Public House, 335 Grove St. NE.
A $30 buy-in gets you a marathon bib, a custom-made 0.05 sticker (26.2 who really cares?), donuts and beer midway through the race (gotta carb load) and the overwhelming joy of participating. Beer for the race is provided by Santiam Brewing Co. Beer not your thing? Don’t worry. There will be coffee and hot cocoa from The Governor’s Cup Coffee Roasters available, too. Purchase two tickets at the same time for $50. Click here to sign up.
And if you get the munchies (beyond the race donut), Slangers will be serving up their burgers and fresh-cut fries and donating all their tips.
Don’t want to run? Can’t make it on December 4? Donations are accepted. Additionally, there is an option to sponsor a runner who may not be able to afford the ticket price as this event is all about coming together as a community to help provide happy holidays for families who are facing hardships this season. All proceeds go directly to the charities supported by Tips for Tots, which include Saint Francis Shelter, Family Building Blocks and Salem Angels.
Epic race moment…
More great stuff to note —
This year’s fundraising raffle will be taking place virtually. More info to follow, but watch for goodies from Ben Mah Photo, Perle holistic skin and body care, 105.5 FM The Moon, Soak Float Center, Blast Off Vintage, Cherry City Waxworks, Atomic Disc, Magoos Sports Bar, RiverCity Rock Star Academy, ChuckMagee’s Cocaine Snorting Crabs From Outer Space!, North Salem Liquor and more.
Plus, Straight From New York Pizza will be donating the sales from all locations in Salem and Portland between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec 4, so be sure to grab a pie on your way to the race.
Rob Melton presents the awards.
About Tips for Tots —
Twenty-eight years ago, Rob “The Bartender” Melton launched Tips for Tots, an annual fundraiser effort to support local nonprofits and the families they serve during the winter holidays. Since its inception, the annual tip-donating event has evolved and now includes a race, auction and a handful of businesses participating in their own way. In 2021, $21,598.52 was raised and this year the grand total over the past 28 years is nearly $250,000.
Keep an eye on www.facebook.com/tipsfortotssalem for news and updates. Follow the action on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tipsfortotssalem/
Carlee Wright
