If the Bandera family name sounds familiar, it should. For 30 years, the Bandera family has teamed up with community volunteers to provide a complete Christmas dinner, absolutely free, to anyone in the Greater Binghamton area who needs a meal, whether it be because finances are tight, or because they're all alone on Christmas day.

Thousands upon thousands of Christmas meals have been served to members of our community for more than two decades, but the meals don't come without a cost to organizers. Bill Bandera, President of the Bandera Family and Community Alliance tells us that in order for his family to be able to continue to offer free Christmas meals, financial donations are desperately needed.

In 2016, the Bandera family came up with a new and super fun way to bring in more funds and that was by creating the Bandera Family Christmas in July 5K and Walk.

This July marks the fourth year for the 5K which will take place on Saturday, July 27th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Vestal Coal House in Vestal. Santa will be on hand and Christmas carolers will be, too! The 5K is USATF certified with official results and special awards for overall and top finishers. Oh, and hot chocolate and cookies will also be served following the race.

Learn more about the Christmas in July 5K and Walk and definitely don't forget to register to run. And, if you're not a runner, you can still help the Bandera family keep their free Christmas dinner tradition alive by making an online donation.

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