Corbin Tourism Director names Rotary Club, Lions Club as beneficiaries of 2022 Colonel Sanders Half Marathon

Fall is a busy time in Corbin as far as tourism-related events are concerned, and Tourism Commission Director Maggy Monhollen is always happy to take advantage of an opportunity to inform the public about what all is going on.

Monhollen served as the latest guest speaker for the Corbin Rotary Club on Thursday, Sept. 22. The crowd on hand inside David’s Steakhouse got to hear about the many events and activities that have been planned for the coming weeks and months, including the 2022 Colonel Sanders Half Marathon, which the club will be a beneficiary of.

“The half marathon is scheduled for Nov. 12,” Monhollen said. “And the beneficiaries of this year’s race will be the Corbin Rotary Club’s Empty Stocking Fund and the Corbin Lions Club’s Christmas basket program. These are both great organizations that do great, visible work in our community.”

When asked about being designated as a beneficiary of funds raised by this year’s Colonel Sanders Half Marathon, Corbin Rotary Club President Chase Hail said, “The Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund is a function of Rotary. It’s one of our community projects, and we accept donations from anyone who is willing to give them. We take those donations and buy toys for kids that don’t have the opportunity to get them for Christmas. For us to receive this money is truly a great blessing.”

“The Empty Stocking Fund is a longstanding program that serves hundreds of children in the community,” Monhollen said. “We wanted to be a part of that, same as with the Lions Club, whose members deliver food baskets on Christmas Eve to families who otherwise might not be able to have a Christmas dinner.”

Monhollen said that, once all of the race proceeds are accounted for, she will set aside enough money to fund next year’s event. Whatever is left over will be split evenly between Rotary and the Lions Club.

“The half marathon committee just feels that it is important to support organizations that a doing good work, and serving humanitarian efforts,” Monhollen added.

This will be the third year for the Colonel Sanders Half Marathon in Corbin. The Knox-Whitley Humane Society benefitted as the beneficiary of the inaugural event in 2020, and the Corbin Backpack Club received about $10,000 as the beneficiary in 2021.

During her presentation to the Rotary Club, Monhollen also mentioned the following:

• The “Pickin’ in the Park” live music series was set to launch on Friday, Sept. 23, with three local bands performing between 6:00-8:00 p.m. in downtown Corbin, near Sanders Park.
• October 1 will be the final Depot Street Market of the season.
• On the night of October 1, the second and final “Movies in the Park” event will be presented, with a showing of the movie Hocus Pocus in Sanders Park.
• The 2022 Octoberfest Festival is scheduled for October 8, and will feature local crafters, food, hay rides, a petting zoo and a pumpkin decorating contest, among other activities.
• A brand new “Corbin Dessert Week” has been planned for October 3-8, with several area restaurants offering special dessert dishes, each costing $6. For additional information, see the digital flyer on the official Downtown Corbin and Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission Facebook pages.