The Village of St. Charles Downtown Development Authority is proud to host our 1st Annual 5K Run, Walk, Roll. We are honoring the life of Jake Katzenberger, a young resident whose life was cut tragically short by an ATV accident. Despite this tragedy, his family is working hard to keep his legacy alive through the Jake Katzenberger Memorial. The Village of St. Charles Downtown Development Authority is dedicated to helping their vision come to life and all registration fees collected and 10% of the t-shirt sales from this 5K will go directly to the Jake Katzenberger Memorial held by the Saginaw Community Foundation. A word from the family:
"Our son, Jake Katzenberger was an amazing 7-year-old boy who loved life. For those who knew or met Jake would probably remember him most for his smile. Jake was always smiling; that big, beautiful, contagious smile. He was silly and full of energy. He enjoyed youth wrestling, baseball and soccer, and wanted to play youth football. Most of all, Jake was kind and loving. Tragically on July 28, 2023, Jake was in an ATV accident while riding with his sister in the yard. He was later pronounced brain dead and passed away on August 3, 2023. Our family prayed all week for a miracle but it turned out Jake was the miracle. He was the miracle for two other families whose children’s lives he saved with his organ donation.
We are a retired military family who were new to the St. Charles community and will forever be grateful for all the love and support we received. We want a way to honor our son Jake by giving something back to our community that will bring joy to families and children the way Jake brought joy to all who knew him. We are hoping to raise $250,000 towards a tunnel/tree house project in Coal Miners Park. Thanks to the Village of St. Charles, who is planning a larger phase towards this park project, has already committed $50,000 towards our goal.
If you are interested in helping us reach our goal, you can donate on-line by visiting the Saginaw Community Foundation website, www.saginawfoundation.org, Donate Now, and type Jake Katzenberger. Or, you can send a check to (Make Check out to Saginaw Community Foundation and Katzenberger in the memo):
Saginaw Community Foundation
1 Tuscola, Suite 100B
Saginaw, MI 48607
The Saginaw Community Foundation (SCF) is serving as our Fiscal Sponsor and will manage all funds received on behalf of the project. If you have any questions on how to donate, please contact Renee Johnston at SCF (989-755-0545; renee@saginawfoundation.org)
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Jason and Angie Katzenberger"
Let's help in making this dream a reality and have some fun while doing so. The 5K will start at 9 AM at McGeenan Funeral Home in St. Charles, with registration beginning at 8 AM. Parking will be available at both McGeenan Funeral Home on Entrepreneur Drive and the site of the old St. Charles Boatworks at 7535 Martin Drive both located on the Saginaw County Trail Rail Trail. The run, walk, roll will follow the Saginaw County Trail Rail into the heart of downtown St. Charles, head back through St. Charles and end with a mile lap through Coal Miner's Park in St. Charles, approximately 1/2 mile from the start of the race.
Age categories are as follows: 14 and under; 15-20; 21-30; 31-40; 41-50; 51-50 and 60 and over. A medal will be given to the fastest male and fastest female in each category.
Shirts will be available for purchase through a separate link through Sandlot sports. 10% of the shirt sale proceeds are also being donated to the Jake Katzenberger Memorial.
