El Centro switches from gala to Amazing Race fundraiser

El Centro de Servicios Sociales will celebrate success and breakthroughs in 2021 with a first Amazing Race fundraiser Nov. 6, welcoming teams to compete against each other in Lorain County.

Individual teams of up to four participants will spend a few hours traveling the county collecting clues.

The event will have a Zoom component where teams will sign in to receive clues, watch videos and receive messages from event sponsors.

“We are guaranteeing a fun event where sponsors will be highlighted throughout the race,” said El Centro Executive Director Victor Leandry.

While taking a departure from the traditional inperson celebration, El Centro has much to celebrate with the organization working year round providing a deep catalogue of services including food pantries, financial literacy education classes, distributing rental/ mortgage and utility bill assistance and a plethora of additional health care and other support services, Leandry said.

In a letter penned by Leandry, the organization announced Sept. 16 that due to rising novel coronavirus cases, the planned in-person gala was cancelled.

With regret and disappointment, he wrote, El Centro came to the difficult conclusion that cancelling the event was in the best interest of the community.

“This decision was made due to the latest data showing the alarming and disturbing increase of active COVID-19 cases in Lorain County as well as the state and nation,” Leandry wrote. “I must let all of you know that the decision to cancel the in-person gala was not an easy one, especially after the preparations in the last eight months.

“But ultimately, we understood and accepted that this was the right and ethical decision.”

The Amazing Race fundraiser takes place from 2-5 p.m., Nov. 6.