It may have a humorous name, but the Socks & Undie 5K Rundie addresses a serious need: clothing for homeless and impoverished school-aged children. The Saturday, April 22 run/walk fundraiser hosted by Note in the Pocket, encourages participants to donate a new pack of socks and/or underwear.

“This event brings community awareness to the importance of supplying clothes—including socks, underwear and shoes--to Wake County students who don’t have the resources to buy new or gently worn items,” said Note in the Pocket Executive Director Dallas Bonavita.

The 4th annual Socks & Undie 5K Rundie is held at Dorothea Dix Park in downtown Raleigh. The competitive and non-competitive 5K starts at 9 a.m. with medals awarded to the male and female overall winners, as well as the first, second and third place runners of each age group.

Children 12 and under can register for the 8:30 a.m. 1/2K Rundie, where costumes are encouraged. Prizes will be awarded to the first boy and girl finisher and the best costume. All 1/2K participants will receive finisher medals.

Both participants and those not able to attend the event, can visit the race website to create a Race Rundie fundraising team to raise additional funds.

“With a goal to raise $50,000, this is our biggest fundraiser event of the year and it will help us build mini-wardrobes for more than 350 students living in poverty in Wake County,” said Bonavita.

Registration for the 5K run/walk is $35 and the Kids 1/2K is $10. Last day to register online is Tuesday, April 18. Participants can also register the day of the event from 7:30-8:15 a.m. at the registration table near the race start line. Runners and participants who registered online should plan to arrive by 8:15 a.m. Dogs can participate if registered and the $10 race fee is paid.

Volunteers are needed as race course monitors and first aid assistants, among other tasks.

The race starts and finishes at the Haywood Gymnasium on Dix Hill. The GPS address is 805 Whiteside Dr., Raleigh, NC 27603; however, Whiteside Drive should not be used to access parking lots on race day. Valid parking lots will be clearly marked with signs and balloons. Due to road closures, participants are encouraged to allow ample time to park.

Visit www.noteinthepocket.org to register for the race or to volunteer.

The event’s premier sponsor is Planet Fitness. Other valued sponsors include BB&T, Blue Diamond Capital, Bottle Revolution, Brasfield & Gorrie, The Catholic Community of Saint Francis of Assisi, Colliers International, Crossroad Fellowship, Delta Gypsum, Duke Doing Good in the Neighborhood, Duke Orthopaedics of Raleigh Michael C. Comstock M.D., Golden Corral, Interactive Intelligence Foundation, Linda Craft & Team Realtors, New Balance Raleigh-Durham, North Raleigh Presbyterian Church and Susan Pruskin Consulting.