A recent University of Washington business-school grad-uate is hoping to strengthen the bond between fathers and their daughters with the first Daddy Daughter Dash this Fathers' Day.
Vanessa Tubbs, 21, has planned a 5K fun run/walk starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 17, at Magnuson Park's Junior League Field. Expecting this to be a small-scale event, about 100 people in attendance would be "awesome," she said.
PROMOTING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Tubbs conceived the idea for this event only two months ago, wanting to promote an active lifestyle for women while tying it in with Fathers' Day.
With her entrepreneurial spirit, she then researched and contacted Dads and Daughters, a non-profit organization based in Minnesota that promotes positive father-daughter relationships.
While the group couldn't financially support Tubbs' event on such short notice, it was supportive of the concept, Tubbs said. Nonetheless, proceeds from the Dash will benefit Dads and Daughters.
Tubbs then contacted potential corporate sponsors by e-mail and phone. Luna Bar, Starbucks Coffee, QFC and Macy's are providing items, and Bank of America offered to open an account for the event.
And volunteers have stepped forward from word-of-mouth and the Internet site Facebook.com.
Through it all, Tubbs' father, Tim, the athletic coordinator at Enumclaw High School, has provided his support as co-organizer for the event, though he claims to only offer advice on the phone.
"She's invested her own time, energy and money to this event," he said. "I'm proud of her."
The younger Tubbs, however, considers her father an inspiration for her and her two sisters.
"Our father has always been supportive... of all the little things that are different about each of us. I'm amazed that he is just such a balanced guy," she said.
AN ANNUAL EVENT?
Tubbs' father will be at the Dash, even though he may work it instead of running it. "We're winging it, for sure, but it will still be fun," he said. "You don't really know how these things turn out. Hopefully, I can help her do this for a [few years] and watch it grow."
Tubbs plans to organize the Dash at least one more time, spending more time on it than she did this year, she said. She wants to do more marketing to attract more sponsors, start a website for fathers and daughters to share their positive stories, recruit groups such as the Girl Scouts to volunteer and incorporate special sections in the Dash, like one for fathers with daughters in strollers.
"I hope [the Dash] will turn into something meaningful," she said.
Registration forms are available at Super Jock 'n Jill, 7210 E. Green Lake Drive N. Entry fees are $30 for a father-and-daughter team of two, plus $5 for each additional person, or $20 per person participating alone. For more information, go to daddydaughterdash.com.
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