At Hare Bandits, running is more than just movement—it’s a catalyst for community, inclusion, and positive change. Here’s how we make a difference:

🏃‍♀️ Events & Initiatives

We host regular events that foster connection and well-being:

• Weekly Group Runs: Inclusive runs welcoming all paces and experience levels with the guidance of coaches and captains.
• Nutrition & Goal-Setting Workshops: Empowering members with knowledge to support their health journeys.
• Plogging: Combining jogging with litter collection to keep our neighborhoods clean.
• Charitable Initiatives: Events aimed at giving back to our community.

🌟 Signature Events

• Stride for Pride 5K & Relay: Celebrating inclusivity and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. 
• Adopt-A-Street: Community clean-up efforts to beautify our city.
• Runner Clothing Drive: We collect gear & clothing at group runs and events.
• Steps for Shelter Pets: A fundraiser supporting local animal shelters. 

🤝 Partnerships

We’ve collaborated with incredible organizations to amplify our impact:

• Bean Vegan Cuisine: Partnered for community events promoting healthy lifestyles. 
• Run for Your Life: Collaborated on running events and pop-ups.
• Adopt-A-City-Street / Keep Charlotte Beautiful: Teamed up for city beautification projects.
• Fleet Feet Charlotte: Worked together to do a workshop on the importance of good shoes to keep runners injury free.
• Time Out Youth: Supported initiatives for LGBTQIA+ youth. 
• Fight the Flame 5K: Provided support to a race that is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting research, and providing resources for individuals affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

🏳️‍🌈 Advocacy & Inclusion

• Non-Binary Race Categories: Advocated for the inclusion of non-binary categories in local races, achieving a 70% success rate, including the Novant Health Marathon.
• Mobility Safety: Developed plans to make streets safer for runners, walkers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and presented them to city council.
• Support for Low-Income Runners: Provided running gear, clothing, and race admissions to those in need.
• Deaf & HoH Support: We teach our team ASL signs they can use while running to support our Deaf and HoH community. We also support the Communication Counts 5K.

If you would like to support our work you can do so by making a charitable financial donation or by donating any of the items listed below. If you are part of a company or organization and would like to explore our sponsorship opportunities please contact us. Your support is what allows us to do all we do!

Items we are currently accepting for donation:

• New running shoes
• Race admission (going to miss a race? Donate your admission to someone who can’t afford it!)
• Garmins or other GPS watch (gently used or new)
• Simple watches with stopwatch feature
• Nice running sunglasses (you know, the ones that make you look fast)
• Running vests or fuel belts (gently used or new – please no race branded freebies)
• Short Bus (seriously, contact us if you have a lead on this it would be a gigantic help for us)
• Yeti, RTIC or similar large cooler (no wheels please)
• Running or Sports Store Gift Cards (Run for Your Life, Fleet Feet, Dicks, Academy, etc)
• Lowes or Home Depot Gift Cards
• Sport drinks (a couple cases to share)

(please contact us for item donations)

We do accept running clothes from time to time and usually collect them at an event or run. Stay tuned to our Instagram for up to date info on this. Please keep in mind we only accept clothes that are gently used or new. We do not accept race shirts or race branded gear. 

What do you do with the clothes & gear?
We get it into the hands of folks that could really use it. One of our missions is to ensure there is no barrier to running and part of that is making sure lower income folks have all the gear they need to succeed in this sport!