GrandPR Participates in CreateAthon 2025: 24 Hours of Creative Impact

From February 7-8, the GrandPR team participated in their annual CreateAthon, an intensive event designed to strengthen collaboration and enhance creativity through strategic communication. Working in small groups, members developed innovative marketing campaigns tailored to meet their clients' needs, delivering impressive results!

What is CreateAthon?

CreateAthon is a high-energy, pro bono marketing marathon where PR skills are put to work to meet the specific needs of nonprofits by delivering communication strategies and materials in just 24 hours. For this year’s event, the theme focused on community engagement, allowing GrandPR members to partner with five impactful clients: Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, The Empowered Trail Foundation, Still I Run, John Ball Area Neighbors, and The Momentum Center. These organizations are nonprofit leaders in the Greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan areas and were a joy to work with. 

Though the event lasted only 24 hours, the teams worked diligently to create impactful campaigns. They tackled everything from social media planning and media toolkits to designing creative content, crafting messaging strategies, and developing comprehensive marketing campaigns. After a full day of intense collaboration and creativity, the teams presented their completed campaigns to the clients. Despite being sleep-deprived, the pride and excitement were unmistakable as they shared their hard-earned results. The clients expressed their appreciation and excitement for the work, knowing that these campaigns would leave a lasting impact on their communities. For the GrandPR teams, the event not only provided valuable hands-on experience but also deepened connections with their peers and the nonprofit organizations they worked with. Each team member walked away with a sense of accomplishment, knowing their efforts would help drive positive change.

Meet the Teams

Each team was paired with a nonprofit, collaborating closely throughout the 24-hour event to develop impactful communication strategies tailored to their needs. This partnership allowed students to gain real-world experience while contributing to meaningful causes. 

Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse 

The Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse strives to create more inclusive and peaceful communities. Inspired by their visit to the Anne Frank House in 2011, they are dedicated to promoting equity and teaching students the tools for respectful dialogue through curricular programming and campus/community events. The team partnered with Civil Discourse was creative in their planning process and worked to expand on ideas presented by the nonprofit- ultimately leaving the center with more than they could have asked for!

“I had so much fun doing CreateAthon. Working with Civil Discourse was awesome. My team was even able to come up with ideas beyond what the nonprofit had in mind. I think my favorite thing was the mascot owl we created! Our team drew it up, and the center loved it! I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with!” – Bri Conway

Empowered Trial Foundation

Founded in 2024, the Empowered Trail Foundation is dedicated to helping communities on their mental health healing journey through connection, open dialogue, and the transformative power of the great outdoors. Inspired by their own experiences with loss and hardship, the foundation aims to raise awareness and funds for mental health initiatives. The GrandPR team had the opportunity to apply creative and engaging event planning strategies, expanding on the client's vision in a truly unique way!

“Working during CreateAthon was a unique experience. We were tasked with work we had never done before and expected to complete it in 24 hours. Gaining experience in event planning is something I know I will use later in my professional life.” – Andrew Cavrell

Still, I Run

Founded in 2016, Still I Run started as a Facebook page and has since grown into the nation's first nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health through running. Today, the organization offers a variety of programs, including scholarships, a free mental health support group, and chapters nationwide, all while fostering a community that champions the mental health benefits of running and physical activity. The GrandPR team was inspired by the nonprofit's mission and felt motivated to create deliverables that truly showcased the powerful impact of their goals.

“I had the honor of working with Still I Run, a national nonprofit focused on how running improves mental health. Sasha’s passion for her mission was inspiring, and contributing to their work was truly an honor. One of my favorite deliverables was proposing a social media campaign for the Beginner’s Guide—helping new runners get started—while advancing the nonprofit’s goals of inclusivity, community, and strategic digital engagement.” – Lauren Wayburn

John Ball Area Neighbors 

The John Ball Area Neighbors is a nonprofit organization in the Grand Rapids area dedicated to fostering community connections through hope and compassion. The organization makes a meaningful impact by driving collective action, outreach, and advocacy. GrandPR members who partnered with John Ball Area Neighbors were inspired by the organization's influence on the community and enjoyed applying their skills in social media content creation to further amplify its mission.

“Working with John Ball Area Neighbors for the event was a new challenge, but I loved it. It was great to work with an organization that impacts a community so close to here, especially since I’m not from the GR area. One of my favorite things my team created was the social media graphics! We had the opportunity to put together fun, colorful designs, and the executive leaders I met with loved them.” – Sara Bagley

Momentum Center

The Momentum Center, established with the support of the mental health millage, provides social and recreational programs for adults facing mental illness, addictions, and disabilities. The center creates meaningful connections through various events, offering a safe space for open conversations about mental health while empowering individuals to embrace their whole selves. For this nonprofit, the GrandPR team developed a comprehensive campaign plan, including media kits and social media strategies, and was excited about the positive impact it could have on the center's future. 

"After 24 hours of hard work, it was instantly rewarding to see the excitement on the client's face and hear how my team's efforts will directly contribute to a positive impact in the Grand Rapids community. I had a blast bonding with both my team and others in GrandPR whom I didn’t know as well. I especially enjoyed creating the personalized content calendar that helped the client achieve the goals outlined in the action plan.” -Alexia Frazzitta

Other Highlights

Even with the intense focus required for CreateAthon, there were plenty of fun moments to keep the energy high! Between the brainstorming sessions and creative work, team members enjoyed breaks like tote bag decorating, Just Dance, a Mamma Mia! movie marathon, and indulging in delicious meals, snacks, and plenty of energy drinks. These lighthearted moments kept spirits lifted throughout the marathon and allowed for fun team bonding. Although there were many standout moments during the event, one of the highlights was the opportunity to meet with Professor Len O’Kelly and Interim Dean Donovan Anderson. His insights and encouragement, as he discussed the projects and goals with the teams, helped elevate the experience and reinforced the significance of the work being done. The members of GrandPR enjoyed getting to introduce themselves as well as speak about the program with him in a meaningful way.

Throughout the event, our Chief Communications Officer, Abby Tannhauser, filmed a documentary that captured the highs, lows, and every memorable moment in between throughout the 24-hour marathon. The documentary showcases the energy and excitement of CreateAthon in a fun and engaging way. Be sure to keep an eye out for the documentary, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the entire event came together!

Our Sponsors 

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors of the CreateAthon event. Their generous support and contributions were essential in making this event possible, and we truly appreciate their commitment to its success.

About Lindsey

Lindsey is a senior at Grand Valley State University, majoring in Communications with minors in Advertising/Public Relations and Human Rights. She is thrilled to begin her first semester with GrandPR as an Account Associate. Since 2023, Lindsey has gained valuable experience as a digital media intern with both Dalhman Properties and the Michigan High School Field Hockey Association. While she has developed a strong skill set in digital media, she has a deep passion for media writing and aspires to specialize in public relations through her role with GrandPR. After graduation, Lindsey hopes to join a public relations firm, focusing on media writing and campaign planning.

GrandPR