Holiday Hustle supports local charities, clubs, small businesses

Ava Meinhardt | staff writer

Saturday will be the 2nd Annual Holiday Hustle – Callea Mae 5K, hosted in Alma. What started from a small committee of friends and Alma business owners is now happening for the second year. 

With this being the 2nd year of the event, there are a couple changes. “This year we have teamed up with the Alma Chamber of Commerce to bring the annual Santa visit to town on the same morning.  There is a holiday vendor market this year with some of our Wabaunsee County Farmers Market participants as well as others joining in,” Kelsey Sommer said. 

Kelsey Stamm and Amanda Gnadt are just a couple of the people who started this event. 

The Holiday Hustle is also taking place on Small Business Saturday. This is a day to encourage holiday shopping for businesses that maybe don’t get as much attention as the bigger stores. 

“The Holiday Hustle showcases everything Alma has to offer for shopping & retail. This is especially important around the holidays when many people are buying gifts for loved ones & friends.  We have lots of great shops here in town & we want to promote them,” Stamm said. 

There are also discounts for the stores for the participants who are running.

The event costs $25 for adults running the race, and $10 for kids who want to run. If the participants wanted a T-shirt, they had to sign up before November 12. 

The money made from the event is going toward good causes. “The money is going to local charities and organizations such as the Alma Area Foundation for the Callea Breiner Memorial nursing scholarship, Wabaunsee County Fair Association Clover Brand Sponsor, WHS Yellow Ribbon Club, Happy Valley 4H Club, Santa’s Express and more,” Stamm said. 

The Holiday Hustle and Small Shop Alma Event starts at 8 a.m. with the Happy Valley 4-H club breakfast. The 5K and Kids Mini Mile starts at 9 a.m. after breakfast, along with the Christmas market and Small Shop Alma. Then, Santa comes to town at 10:30 a.m.

Lastly at 12:30, there will be the Alma Chamber Drawings. This is where the Alma Chamber will draw 15 winners for $10 gift certificates for the shops in Alma. There is also a drawing for a Children’s Christmas Basket.