Thanks to you, Greta’s Run will have a second year! Save the date – Sunday, September 14th – and tell everyone you know to come out!
This winter while you were shoveling, all proceeds from Greta’s Run slept blissfully in the bank. I’ve been working with the Y to ensure your contributions are utilized on safe, effective and worthwhile adaptive/special needs programs for young adults 18-26 years old. This is an important first step because people within this age group age out of most organizational programming. Elise, Greta’s sister, is one of them.
The ‘Greta’s Run Sampler’ will begin one month from today, Saturday May 3rd and end Saturday June 21st. There will be new activities each week, including general fitness, cooking, yoga, swimming and more. Spread the word!
I need day of volunteers for these activities. If you’re interested or have experience working with young adults who have special needs, please contact me as soon as possible. If you have an idea and are interested in teaching a class, contact me as well.
Compounding the excitement, Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s ‘Colbert Report’ donated $5,000 through his AmericCone Dream Foundation to Greta’s Run (thanks to Meg Driscoll)! So if you ate a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ‘AmeriCone Dream’ alone on a Saturday night this winter like me – you were actually a philanthropist! Woo hoo love handles!
The schedule for ‘Greta’s Run Sampler’ will be released in the coming weeks. Sign-ups will begin once the schedule is posted. You do not need to be a Y-member to attend. If you have any questions or great ideas, my contact information is: Ben Nanna - bjn118@gmail.com.
Greta's Run is a 5k Run/Walk & Fundraiser founded in memory of Greta Schoenemann, a WHS freshman who died from injuries sustained on 9/11/02 when a tree limb fell on her and a table of friends as they ate lunch. Founded by Greta's childhood friends Ben Nanna and Jayne Ruotolo, all proceeds will benefit new and existing special needs programs at the Westfield Area Y. A gesture that would be close to Greta's heart because her sister Elise has Cerebral Palsy. To learn more about Greta Schoenemann or Greta's Run, visit the website.
