It’s essential for children to learn the value of exercise. It’s also important for them to learn the value of giving to those who have very little. The High Country Kids Triathlon is an event that combines both lessons into a fun-filled day of swimming, biking, and running.

Boys and girls ranging in age from under 8 to 18 participated in the fourth annual Kids Triathlon earlier this month in Boone, N.C. All of the proceeds—over $1,000—were donated to Operation Christmas Child.

The young athletes swam, biked, and ran varying distances according to their age group. The swimming took place in the pool, while the biking and running were on a local nature trail. Some children also did relays. Paula Domermuth, organizer of the event, added this part to the triathlon so that children who didn’t feel comfortable in one area, such as swimming, could still participate in another part of the race.

Domermuth came up with the idea for the event on the way back from a triathlon she participated in over four years ago. This year, 66 children participated.

“It’s neat because there are some kids who have been doing it every year,” she said. “For example, there was a 4 year old the first year, and he’s gotten much better. It’s been fun to watch him improve.”

Domermuth said she likes donating the triathlon proceeds to Operation Christmas Child because of the project’s theme, Kids Helping Kids. She thinks a lot of the participants can relate to the program because it’s an easy way for children to help those who don’t have as much. Plus most are from the Boone area, where Samaritan’s Purse has its international headquarters, and they know the program.

“The kid's triathlon was even better than just competing because I knew the money was going to children just like us,” said Logan Gregory, an 8-year-old participant.

Prizes and refreshments were offered after the race. Operation Christmas Child set up a table with T-shirt giveaways. Samaritan’s Purse provided plastic bags for the race packets, which included brochures for Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse.

“It’s nice that they come and set up a table and hand out brochures, and hopefully it will motivate kids to make a shoe box around Christmas,” Domermuth said.

Domermuth is also excited that word about Operation Christmas Child may spread to people who haven’t heard of it before.

“There are people coming this year who aren’t just from Boone—people from Winston-Salem and even someone from Florida—so hopefully they will learn more about Operation Christmas Child,” she said.

But those aren’t the only reasons she chose the project.

“I’m a Christian myself, and I wanted to give something to kids that made an eternal impact,” she said.

This is the second year that Domermuth chose Operation Christmas Child as the recipient of the donation money.

“It’s a way to help kids in other countries,” she said. “Americans are amazed that there is so much that we have that others don’t have. Plus it’s helping kids learn about Jesus at a young age.”

By helping the triathlon raise $1,200 this year, the children who raced had a hand in helping shoe boxes be delivered to children all over the world.

Samaritan's Purse , United States , Operation Christmas Child , Kids Competing for Kids