• ADOPT… if you can’t adopt then

• FOSTER… if you can’t foster then

• DONATE… if you can’t donate then

• VOLUNTEER ♥

The AFDV 5k is held to celebrate the memory of Nikki Sommers (11/7/83-8/4/17), and to promote the good causes she supported.

Nikki lived a full, but brief life. She enjoyed her family, the love of her dogs, a beautiful South Minneapolis home, and a never-ending list of volunteer and work activities.

Nikki supported her passions by:

• Biking 1,100 miles (from Bolder, CO) to raise awareness for a local mentoring program,

• Running a marathon in Helsinki to raise funds for a children's program,

• Tutoring children in an after-school and weekend program,

• Welcoming refugee families at the MSP airport and managing various settling meetings & activities during their first months here,

• Earning the Hennepin County foster care license (despite fighting terminal cancer), and

• Taking several immigration cases pro-bono and happily celebrating with her clients who were granted citizenship!

Wait... so, why a 5k? (•‿•)

Nikki started running in high school, where she was both on the track and cross country teams. She continued running in college and was part of the running club during her study abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nikki has also completed 6 marathons in Minnesota (Mankato & Twin Cities) and another in Helsinki, Finland. You could often find Nikki around the lakes - running for fitness, walking her dogs, or just enjoying the sunset.

Nikki was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 31. She didn't want this to slow her down - she continued to volunteer, tutor, and work while undergoing treatment. She balanced her work hours in between medical appointments and foster care classes. She wanted to live. Unfortunately, that was not in the stars. Nikki passed away at the age of 33 on August 4, 2017.

Help us keep Nikki's spirit alive by running this 5k. In Nikki's memory - let's give back to the community and support her passions.