Saint Mary’s University hosts the Heart & SOUL Row, Ride and Run Triathlon on April 26.
This event, put on by Serving Others Untied in Love or S.O.U.L., is a program of the Office of Campus Ministry at Saint Mary’s University, which offers the Saint Mary’s community opportunities to serve and be served through both national and international mission trips over academic breaks.
“The group includes six to seven students that make the majority of decisions and do a large amount of the prep work for the event,” said Eric Schmidt, S.O.U.L. faculty adviser of three years.
“In the days right before the event and on race day, about 30 volunteers assist in making sure the event goes smoothly.”
Participants include Saint Mary’s community members as well as members of the public from Winona, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Rochester Minn., the Twin Cities and other surrounding communities.
S.O.U.L. started about 15-20 years ago in an effect to live out the Lasallian mission of serving the poor.
This year S.O.U.L. has organized trips for students, roughly 60 a year, to different areas of the country.
This year’s trips included sites in Wisconsin, Montana, New Orleans, La., New Jersey, Kansas City, Mo., and Kentucky.
Students volunteered with hurricane cleanup, home repairs at schools, homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
A group of students will be traveling to the Philippines for two weeks to assist with a youth literacy camp in May.
The money raised will go to offset the cost of these trips to students who participate.
“The triathlon started last year after a brainstorming session by students as to how to raise money in order to keep the cost of mission trips reasonable to students,” said Schmidt.
S.O.U.L. hopes to raise money and to get the word out about the fundraiser.
Flyers are on display at businesses in the Winona area and in the Twin Cities.
S.O.U.L is currently working with area TV, radio and newspapers to attract a larger audience.
In order to participate, register online at www.smumn.edu/heartandsoul.
Participants may register as an individual or a team.
Teams consist of two to four members. All registrations must be completed before April 14. There will be no on-site registrations on the day of the event.
The cost to participate is $35 per individual or $60 per team.
Those who may not be able to participate are also welcome to help by volunteering to help at the event.

Questions or comments?
Contact Jessica at
JLLarsen0487@winona.edu