Prairie Ridge Ugly Christmas Sweater Run Supports Local Food Pantry

Source: District 155 press release 

Before winter break, Prairie Ridge students and District 155 employees and their families came together for the first Prairie Ridge Ugly Sweater 5K.

With an entrance fee of at least two canned food items, more than 100 participants donated about 471 pounds of food to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.

Bob Boldwyn, a Prairie Ridge English teacher, said he organized the event to provide a fun way to get active and to fight hunger.

“Many of our McHenry County neighbors will be relying on food pantries to feed their family this holiday season,” Mr. Boldwyn said. “And helping others speaks to the heart of what all of [the event’s] volunteers—especially [the Prairie Ridge] students—stand for!”

An awards ceremony was held after the race for students and faculty who set course records and donated the most food items. Winners received baked goods for their efforts.

• Female Student Course Record: 19:55, PR junior Maddy Gerlinger
• Male Student Course Record: 17:56, PR senior Scott Hearne
• Female Faculty Course Record: 21:22, CLC English teacher Shannon Schroeder
• Male Faculty Course Record: 19:05, PR art teacher Judd Shutt
• Most Food Items Donated by a Student: 16 items, PR freshman Dylan Bilodeau
• Most Food Items Donated by Faculty: 20 items, PR art teacher Aaron Cummins

Mr. Boldwyn plans to continue the Ugly Sweater 5K next year, hoping to get 200 participants and more than 1,000 pounds of food donations.