Move as One launches with Run to the Game and Celebration of Hope Match
5/13/2026
The Move as One partnership between Center for Healing & Hope and local semi-pro soccer team Goshen City FC launched with a free community fun walk/run called Run to the Game on Saturday, May 9th. Sunshine, temperatures in the 60s, and a cool breeze made for ideal walking/running weather.
“Move as One came together through a shared vision between Goshen City FC and Center for Healing & Hope to connect with the community through movement and unity based activities that all of our neighbors are invited to be a part of,” said Goshen City FC founder Henrique Castelhano Eichenberger. “We’re excited to bring awareness to the mission of Center for Healing & Hope and gain new fans along the way.”
There were 81 people registered for Run to the Game. During a busy Mother’s Day weekend with many local events happening and perfect weather offering a range of outdoor activities, 43 walkers/runners chose to attend.
“I think we did a great job promoting the event and getting people signed up,” said CHH Director of Marketing & Development Daniel Tackett. “As people started arriving, the excitement and energy was awesome! The non-competitive structure made it feel like we were all working toward a common goal. I feel we were able to accomplish what we set out to do. It sounds cliché, but everyone was a winner Saturday!”
Run to the Game began at Center for Healing & Hope and ended at the John Ingold Athletic Complex at Goshen College for the Celebration of Hope soccer match. The route snaked its way down the scenic Millrace Canal Trail with two exit points. Walkers exited the trail at Waverly before crossing Main at College onto Goshen College campus while runners took the trail all the way to the dam before making their way east down Westwood and through campus to the soccer field. The two routes offered different distances and allowed both walkers and runners to finish within 15 minutes of one another and the start of the match. As participants strolled across the sidewalk-chalked finish line near the ticketing table, refreshments donated by Hawkins Water and Maple City Dispensing were offered. Many registrants also eventually made their way over to the Tropicana Ice Cream truck, which has been a mainstay at Goshen City FC home matches, to enjoy a sweet treat. Tropicana donated 50 paletas to the cause.
Center for Healing & Hope had a table at the match giving away free shirts, foam fingers, sunglasses, and information about the mission. A giant bubble making activity was a favorite activity for people of all ages, and a face painter completed the fan experience, offering complimentary fun designs – including some custom soccer themes. The public announcer helped introduce the Move as One partnership and mission of Center for Healing & Hope through a series of announcements during halftime. Many people made donations both through Run to the Game and at the match to support the work of Center for Healing & Hope.
As for the match itself, Goshen City FC dialed up the energy with a fast start and relentless effort that did not disappoint the 300 plus fans in attendance. For the first league game of the season, the team was already oozing with chemistry – moving as one if you will – and it showed as the boys in orange went up 3-0 at halftime. Owning the majority of the possession and peppering the visiting Holland Rovers’ goal more than twenty times, the score could have been even higher. Goshen City FC added a golazo in the second half, and comfortably cruised to a 4-0 win to successfully start their season and defense of their Midwest Premier League Great Lakes Conference title. It was a perfect and fitting finish to an action packed day.
Fans were invited to wind things down with a post-match gathering at Goshen Brewing Company. Goshen City FC coach Tyler Born and some players even came out for a post-match meal and to thank fans. Orange shirts were seen around the property with happy fans recalling a great match and fun-filled day as the sun set over the Elkhart River.
Sponsors and volunteers were critical to the success of the day’s festivities. Volunteers helped check people in, provided navigation and safety support along the route, and helped out at the CHH table at the match. Thank you to Jim and Lila Gascho, Joan Troyer, Jocelyn Portillo, Marilyn Torres, Don Jantzi, Jerrell Richer, Alexa Putnam, Kendal Sommers, and Jay Romero for their time and energy! Thank you to our sponsors the Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition and Everence. And thank you to our in-kind donors Maple City Dispensing, Hawkins Water Tech, and Tropicana.
Next up for Move as One will be a Free One-Day Youth Soccer Camp and Community Volunteer Day. Dates to be announced soon. To stay up to date, follow along with Center for Healing & Hope and Goshen City FC on their social media pages.
Center for Healing & Hope: Facebook, Instagram
Goshen City FC: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
