21st Annual Lew Blond Run Fundraiser Set For May 21 at Maple School

Registration and information: lewblondrun.org

The 21st Annual Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Run will take place on Saturday, May 21 at Maple School, 2370 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL. The 5K takes place at 8:00 am. The 1 Mile Run begins at 9:00 a.m., and the new Little Lew 50-yard dash (for ages 6 and under) begins at 
9:30 a.m. This year other new additions to the event include an online silent auction and a "Smile Mile" at Mile 2, sponsored by Dentistry For Kids, Ltd., where a photographer will be taking photos and posting them on the Lew Blond Run's Instagram.

District 30 has collaborated with the Lew Blond Memorial 5K Organization, a non-profit organization, to host the 5K and 1 mile run for the past 20 years. The Lew Blond Memorial 5K Run/Walk is held to honor Lew Blond, a Maple School teacher who passed away from Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) in February 2000. He was an exceptional and dedicated educator of the applied arts and was revered and cherished by his students, his colleagues, and the parents of the children he served. Lew Blond's family has attended and helped support this race since its inception.

The Lew Blond Run Board of Directors appreciates everyone’s continued support of this fundraising event, which benefits ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) research through the Les Turner ALS Foundation, supports high school scholarships at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South High Schools, and special District 30 projects.

The 5K course winds through various subdivisions of the Northbrook community finishing on the south side of Maple School. A police officer will be present to block traffic and allow for the safe crossing of Techny Road. A significant amount of the proceeds benefit ALS research through the Les Turner ALS Foundation, scholarships for prospective teachers at the Glenbrook High Schools, and special District 30 projects. To date 40 scholarships have been awarded, which helps support the students’ education and brings honor to the memory of Mr. Blond.

“We are proud of our ongoing commitment to the scholarship program and helping find a cure for ALS, the disease that cut short the life of Lew Blond,” stated Samuel Kurtz, Maple School Principal and President of the Lew Blond Memorial 5K Organization.

Packet pickup takes place on Friday, May 20, from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at Maple School. Packets will also be available for pickup on race day at Maple School. More details will be shared closer to race day. Registration will also be available at packet pickup. Runners may only pick up packets for other runners if they have a copy of each runner's confirmation email or receipt (email is acceptable).

Note that this year there is no parking allowed on Glenbrook North High School's South parking lot. Parking will be available in the Glenbrook North North and East side parking lots. Additional parking is available at Highland Baking Company on the east side of Shermer Road. No parking will be allowed on Maple School property. Parking will not be allowed on the race course.

Sign up for the Lew Blond Run lewblondrun.org by April 30 to be guaranteed a t-shirt! Register: http://lewblondrun.org
Volunteers are also still needed for the Lew Blond Run. Contact Samuel Kurz at Skurtz@district30.org