Shamrock Shuffle raises nearly $15K in West Leechburg

The nonprofit Semper Gratus raised nearly $15,000 at Saturday’s Shamrock Shuffle in West Leechburg, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The 5K race/one-mile walk returned this year after being canceled in 2020 because of covid safety concerns. The event was adjusted with a number of safety mitigations, and the dance party that usually follows the race was canceled this year.

“It far exceeded my expectations,” said Ian Coyle, founder and president of Semper Gratus. “I’m super excited about that.”

The event garnered 316 registrants, 247 of whom showed up in person. The rest participated virtually from locations across the country, Coyle said. The in-person group included 176 5K racers and 71 walkers, Coyle said.

Last year’s race had been on track to attract well over 500 participants before its cancellation, after having about 250 participants in 2019. Coyle said he was thrilled the race surpassed its 2019 numbers in its “rebound.”

To prevent transmission of covid-19, there were no closing ceremonies, but Coyle did give a few opening remarks before the start of the race. The guest of honor, 14-year-old Sophie Stophel, was surprised with a bag of Gannon University merchandise — the university she aspires to attend in a few years. She also was given a laptop through a partnership between Semper Gratus and Best Buy and a $500 check in support of her Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student of the Year campaign.

Coyle considers the event a remarkable success, especially given the challenges of organizing it during the pandemic.

“These events are always just indescribable,” he said. “Even though this is the fifth year for the Shamrock Shuffle and the sixth year for Semper Gratus, in terms of creating opportunities to give back … every event is uniquely different and so impactful because it reaches such a broad audience.”

The Santa Shuffle 5K and one-mile walk scheduled for July 10 is next on Coyle’s list. He hopes to match the Shamrock Shuffle’s earnings or exceed them. The “Small Town. Loud Voice” dance party also will take place on that date.