Nominating Period Begins for 2017 Harbin Hero Challenge

The Harbin Hero Hustle returns to the streets of Downtown Rome on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Before racers and walkers get out their superhero costumes, it’s time to decide which local charities will have the opportunity to win of $3,500 in donations from Harbin Clinic.

The Harbin Hero Challenge recognizes local charities that serve as superheroes for the community.

Just like last year’s contest, winners are dependent on your nominations. People can nominate their favorite charities for a chance to earn a donation by logging onto their social media accounts.

The nomination period opens on Monday, July 31 and ends at 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11.

To nominate a charity, individuals need to post the charity name and include the hash tag, #HarbinHeroChallenge, to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. A quick note, shares and likes don’t count as nominations.

Here are the Harbin Hero Challenge Rules for nominations:

• Only one vote is accepted per Facebook, Twitter or Instagram user

• Nominations must use both #HarbinHeroChallenge and name the charity in the post or comment

• The charity must be an actively registered 501(c) (3)

• The charity must be based in Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Chattooga or Gordon County

• The charity must support health, educational or cultural causes

• The nomination period closes at 10 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 11. .

The five charities receiving the most nominations all automatically win a $500 donation from Harbin Clinic.

During last year’s nominating period, 50 local charities received more than 450 social media nominations before the Rome YMCA, DIGS Inc., Harbor House, Hospitality House for Women and Summit Quest were named the winners.

It’s important to remember that every nomination matters. In last year’s contest, the competition came down to the closing minutes of the final day with DIGS and Harbor House, edging out Cancer Navigators, CRBI and the Open Door Home by less than three nominations.

The five charities receiving the most nominations also compete to become the overall Harbin Hero Challenge winner and receive an additional $1,000.

The charity winning the $1,000 donation is determined by points tallied from runners and walkers registering for the Harbin Hero Hustle, as well as points accumulated from costume contest winners.

People signing up to participate in the 5K run or two-mile health walk can select one of the five charities to support.

Early registrations earn two points for designated charities, while race-day registrations earn one point for selected charities.

The final chance for charities to earn points comes in the costume contest. There will be three categories this year:

• Best junior hero or villain (age 10 and under)

• Best hero or villain

• Best dynamic duo or group

Contest winners earn an additional 10 points for their chosen charity.

After the race, the charity which receives the most points from registrations and the costume contests gets crowned as the 2017 Hero Challenge winner.

The 2016 Hero Challenge saw the Rome YMCA just edge Hospitality House and Harbor House thanks to costume contest points.