Register now for United Counseling Service’s 9th annual UCS Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash on November 7!

Race and volunteer registration is open at ucsvt.org/events for United Counseling Service (UCS)’s 9^th annual UCS Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash on Saturday, November 7, at the Berkshire Family YMCA (655 Gage Street, Bennington, VT). This year’s UCS Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash benefits Chickens for Change (C4C), a program of UCS’ Children, Youth and Family Services division, that provides youth with hands-on opportunities to raise, care for, and sell chickens and eggs while developing responsibility, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and life skills.

“The UCS Superhero 5K is a wonderful example of what makes this community so special – people coming together to support one another and make a meaningful difference,” says Anne Bilodeau, Interim Chief Administrative Officer of UCS. “This year’s event supports Chickens for Change, an innovative program that helps young people build confidence, develop important life skills, and discover their potential. We’re grateful to our sponsors, participants, and volunteers for helping create opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Thank you to returning Invincible level sponsor, Heritage Family Credit Union, for supporting this year’s event and powering the Kids’ Dash.

“Being at the UCS Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash, you see so much more than a group of people wearing capes – you can truly feel what makes the Bennington community so special,” says Ryan Butler, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking at Heritage Family Credit Union. “Seeing the support and spirit of the runners rally around UCS’s programming for children and families is deeply inspiring and just one of the reasons this supercharged event continues to hold a special place in our hearts at Heritage Family Credit Union.”

HFCU is a proud sponsor of the UCS Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash and marks its second year as the event’s Invincible sponsor.

“We’re so excited to partner with UCS once again for what promises to be another amazing Superhero 5K,” says Mark Grossarth, Community Development Officer at Heritage Family Credit Union. “As an organization that prioritizes financial education in our communities, we’re thrilled to see an innovative program like Chickens for Change empowering young people with life, social, entrepreneurial, and business skills that can support their future goals.”

Registration is available at ucsvt.org/events. The Kids’ Dash will take place immediately following the 5K in the field adjacent to Gage Street at the race site.

Thank you to all 2026 event sponsors: Heritage Family Credit Union (Invincible Level), Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal (Caped Crusader Level), The Richards Group, an IMA Company, Verizon Business (Guardian Level), Bennington Rescue Squad, Genoa Healthcare, Janitronics Facility Services (Aquaman Level), Charlie Health, GVH Studio, MSK Engineers, Northeast Delta Dental, rk Miles, Turning Point Recovery Center of Bennington, (Defender Level), and Coggins Toyota of Bennington, Mack Molding, Taconic Music, The Collaborative, and VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (Champion Level).