I saw the horned beast coming at me out of the corner of my eye, but was not quick enough to escape its wrath.  When I looked down to where I was hit I could see the viscous red liquid dripping down my arm and the red stain that blossomed on my white t-shirt. I’d been gored! Yes I had signed up for the Running of The Bulls with my team the Rhody Mamas, but we were not in Pamplona. This was right in downtown Providence, and it was not a bull who’d run amok that got me, but rather a Roller Derby queen on a mission.

Yes, I’d been gored! But, I’d been Gored For Good in the inaugural Get Gored For Good Running of The Bulls fundraiser and festival to benefit Amos House.  This consisted of Providence Roller Derby Team members called “Rollerbulls”, donning horns, and armed with paintbrushes of red paint chasing down the runners.

I have to say I have never laughed so hard during a run, which by the way, I learned takes way more lung capacity than usual.  Before the run even began Amos House announced that already over $115,000.00 had been raised to house the approximately 150 Men, Women and children who stay with Amos house each night, and to help feed the approximately 800 who come to them for meals each day. The funds will also be used towards their counseling and job programs following the Amos House Motto of “Helping people help themselves.”

The Mission Statement of Amos House Reads:

Amos House is a nonprofit social services agency that provides hospitality and direct services to the homeless and poor of Rhode Island. We work in collaboration with other agencies and groups to address issues of hunger, homelessness and poverty.

The family friendly event had us running through down city Providence for no more than two miles…maybe a bit less in fact…and included a lovely water/juice/snack stop where I was also able to have my own set of bull horns made for me by the balloon artist on hand. We ended with the  festival in Burnside Park where there was a band playing, and more funds were raised with food for purchase from local food trucks and vendors, SugarRush, Championship Melt, Plouf Plouf,and Friendship Cafe, as well as beverages for sale by sponsors Narragansett Beer, Revival Beer and Opici Sangria. There was also face painting and the balloon artist,but the highlight for me (other than the Sangria!) had to be the Mechanical bull.

This event was a total blast for a great cause! Now I can’t wait to go see the Providence Roller Derby in action from the sidelines, when I’m not running from them with faux terror.