Hundreds Run For Orphans

Meet Ty and Aden Dangler.

For five years now, they've been part of a loving family, something they didn't have early on in life.

Their mother, Jessica Dangler, says, "They were six and seven when we adopted them. My husband and I actually went over to Ethiopia to pick them up."

The boys have gone through tremendous changes, everything from learning a new language to being part of a family for the first time.

"It’s been incredible to watch them transform," Jessica said. "It changed our family dynamic and it changed our outlook on life, on the world.”

It also opened up a lot of doors for them to meet people involved in nonprofits.

One of those people is Gerry Geraghty, founder of River Run for Orphans.

"I started an event in Durango in 2008,” Geraghty said. “I did it for a couple of years and realized this could be a national event."

Today, seven cities hold the event annually.

Together, they’ve risen over $200,000 for orphans around the world.

"It’s not about money. It’s about creating resources such as food or clothing, nutrition, and ultimately we want children to have permanent loving families," Geraghty said.

Runners raise money through pledges and other fundraisers, and then donate it to whichever organization they choose.

"We have all these booths here, in our area called orphans around the world,” Geraghty explained. “The goal is for people to connect with different orphan organizations and find a way to serve."

"I don't have words for it, the way that people’s hearts are so open to giving to children,” Jessica Dangler said. “They’re so willing to give their time, their money, and their resources to help these kids."