Letter to Editor: Cougar Literacy Run Enormous Success
Cougar Elementary teacher and literacy run organizer Audrey Baldwin reflects on the success of the event.
The 7th Annual Cougar Literacy Run on May 5, 2012 was an enormous success. At 7:59 a.m. we began our 5K with our largest amount of 5K participants (92 this year up from 75 last year).
After awards and raffles (I gave away over $800 to The Running Store in Gainesville, and $200 to Dick's Sporting Goods), we began kids' registration and Zumba on stage with Erin McGrane.
At 10 a.m., the one mile kids' run began for our students and families of Manassas Park. Kids who met reading goals and attended the event earned a free t-shirt.
After the run, we highlighted a hiphop dance lesson with Charles Ewell.
Over $1,700 was raised on Saturday for Literacy development for grades pre-k through fifth grade at Manassas Park.
Fourteen community partners supported our Health and Wellness Fair(from 9-12) with health screenings, Child ID cards from the Police Department, freebies, portion plates, toothbrushes, etc.
Railroad Dental Associates and the Manassas Park PTO were our largest sponsors this year. With the help of Manassas Park staff members Kayleigh Zinkham, Nick Brennfleck, and Joe Portelli, this year was amazing!
The 5K over 18 Male winner was Jeff Geraghty with a time of 17:02 Under 18 Male winner was Matthew Thatcher with a time of 17:09 Over 18 Female winner was Katie McDade with a time of 22:37 Under 18 Female winner was Lexi Swanson with a time of 22:15
Attached is a photo of the 4 5K winners and a photo of the start of the kids' run. Our best estimate for the kids' run would be over 500 participants.
Thanks again--
Audrey Baldwin
A Baldwin
4:06 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I'm embarrassed to not have mentioned Anne Shaw and her incredible work with the Health & Wellness Fair! Way to go, Anne!! :)
Jamie M. Rogers
1:06 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thank you Anne!
A Baldwin
7:16 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Concerned Citizen, I appreciate your input. As my first year leading this event after my husband, I was excited to try some new ideas. We begin planning in September, so I welcome any thoughts/comments for next year's event to literacyrun@mpark.net. Thank you for attending the event and supporting our elementary campus!
Jamie M. Rogers
10:36 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
You did a great job this year Audrey!
Concerned Citizen
1:20 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Audrey, I hope my earlier comment (I've thus removed it) didn't offend you.........It really was an amazing day! Thank you for all of your hard work. I know that it was a labor of love................. JAMIE, a question for you..........with all of the different photos on the site for that day...especially of children, etc, is any sort of 'release' required before a child's photo is put on the site? Thank you