On Feb. 16, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Tuscaloosa YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama to host Tuscaloosa’s first ever “Karbs for Kids” Krispy Kreme Challenge as a fundraiser for programs that encourage healthy living, such as free sports teams for kids. The challenge encompasses running or walking a mile from the University Orthopedic Center, eating a dozen doughnuts and running or walking the mile back.
Typically, gorging on fatty foods then throwing it all up is a bad thing, but Krispy Kreme has managed to turn the gluttonous act into a good deed. Both Tuscaloosa YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama rely on donations to supply programs that ensure kids are staying healthy. BBBS, specifically, works with children to prevent them from dropping out of school, engaging in violence and using drugs and alcohol.
“’Karbs for Kids’ is a way for us to acknowledge that the money we are raising goes towards programs for the kids,” Charlotte Lewis, YMCA’s special events and fundraising director, said. “The money that we are raising goes towards financial scholarships. The race itself is just a comical, fun race.”
That’s why the challenge is so important: it’s raising money to keep society’s youth on a straight path to leading healthy, successful lives. As a Beautiful Health mentor, I’ve witnessed the positive effect simply talking to middle school girls about staying healthy have on them, so I can only imagine the effect BBBS has on its mentees. Advice such as running and eating a dozen doughnuts all at once is not normally found in a health column, but when it’s for such a good cause, a one-time deal won’t hurt anyone.
“I am participating in the Krispy Kreme challenge mostly to win a bet with my roommate who has little faith in me,” Jess DeMartin, a junior majoring in marketing and accounting, said. “I also think that Big Brothers Big Sisters is an awesome program for local youth. Growing up, my dad was a mentor for a different organization, and I saw him make a difference in a lot of children’s lives, especially those less fortunate.”
Though eating 2,400 calories worth of melt-in-your-mouth goodness is diet suicide and running on a full stomach is sure to make many participants spew all over Bryant Drive, I fully intend on participating, but only this once. The irony of the challenge – an unhealthy practice supporting programs that endorse healthy behavior – is what makes the race fun. And having a good reason to eat all of the doughnuts you can stomach, of course.
“I am not concerned about the amount of calories I will be consuming,” DeMartin said. “Although I am sure this will be a lot of fun, chances are I will only be participating in the Krispy Kreme Challenge once in my life and its for a worthy cause. Plus, when else can you use the excuse to completely pig out on fried dough?”
Participants will receive T-shirts and goody bags while winners will receive trophies. Don’t worry about stepping in vomit; trash cans will line the route. Go on YouTube to see videos of past K2C events to decide if you want to participate. If you decide you’re up for the challenge, pay $25 to register for the event at tuscaloosakrispykremechallenge.eventbrite.com.
