Carson's Cause to sponsor annual run

For the past 20 years, Sanford has sponsored the Buffalo Days 5K, 10K and Fun Run event, but this year a new organization will appear on the finish line banner.
Volunteers with the local non-profit Carson’s Cause have been registering runners for the 5 and 10K races, and they’re expecting strong participation on race morning Saturday in Luverne City Park.
“People have been so supportive of our mission,” said Lori Sorenson who established Carson’s Cause in memory of her son, Carson Ehde, who died last fall of suicide at age 21.
“I’ve never done this sort of thing before, but we have a great team of race day volunteers and lots of helpful advisers.”
When Sanford Luverne opted not to organize the Buffalo Days run this year, she said several people encouraged her to turn it into a fundraiser for Carson’s Cause.
Among them was local running enthusiast David Duffy, who has organized the Wienerman World Championships, the Davis Lake Triathlon, Tour de Donut and other community challenges.
“The timing is right for Carson’s Cause to take over the Buffalo Days race,” said Duffy who is helping to organize Saturday’s races. “I can see this being a big event.”
For her part, Sorenson sees the Buffalo Days run as a way to promote Carson’s Cause and community brain health.
“Brain health has become such an important local issue, and so many families in our community have been impacted by suicide,” Sorenson said.
“When we announced we were doing our Buffalo Days Run for a Cause, the response was immediate and overwhelming. We’re so grateful for the outpouring of support.”
Southwestern Mental Health is a primary financial sponsor of the event because Carson’s Cause is closely aligned with recent community mental health education, according to director Luke Comeau.
“This is something very important to us and the community, so it only makes sense that we’re on board with this event,” he said.
Other local sponsors include Sanford Luverne, the city of Luverne (Aquatics and Fitness and Loop) and Nutrien.
Sorenson said the Buffalo Days run is a good fit for Carson’s Cause because brain health directly benefits from cardio fitness.
“Science tells us over and over how important it is to exercise — especially outdoors, and if we can enjoy some friendly footraces while also raising money for a good cause, we all benefit,” Sorenson said.
“We’re really looking forward to Saturday and we hope for good weather and a smooth race.”
She said anyone can participate Saturday whether they compete or just enjoy the exercise.
“We have a fun run and also hiking and biking options,” Sorenson said.
“We have a beautiful Luverne Loop and Ashby Trail, and the Buffalo Days Run for a Cause is a great opportunity to enjoy them and to show visitors what our community has to offer.”
Dozens of runners are already signed up, and race day registration starts at 7 a.m. Saturday with events starting at 8 a.m.
The $25 registration fee supports Carson’s Cause, a non-profit fund that operates under the umbrella of the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
 
About Carson’s Cause
 Sorenson and Carson’s girlfriend, Gracie Rozeboom, started Carson’s Cause with gifts and memorials that flowed in after his death on Sept. 13, 2022.
The nonprofit seeks to improve dialogue around brain health in order to eliminate stigma that prevents people from seeking care for mental illness.
“We dream of a day …”
The fund has gifted $5,000 to the Luverne Elementary School to purchase grade-appropriate children’s books that encourage conversations about brain health and illustrate how to talk about it.
It has committed another $5,000 for CLIMB Theater to develop classroom skits specifically tailored to brain health discussion. It will be introduced this fall.
Funds are already in place to fund books for the 2023-24 school year, and plans are in the works to introduce them in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District.
To support Carson’s Cause, visit lacf.com/carson's cause. Volunteers will be available at the Friday Night Cruise-In to sign up runners and sell T-shirts for the cause.
Questions about Saturday’s event can be directed to luvcarsonscause@gmail.com or messaging Carson’s Cause on Facebook.