Friends of Jenks to sponsor 'fun run'

Posted 10/17/12

by Sue Ann Rybak

The Friends of J.S. Jenks (FOJSJ), an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the educational and enrichment opportunities at the elementary school in …

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Friends of Jenks to sponsor 'fun run'

Posted

by Sue Ann Rybak

The Friends of J.S. Jenks (FOJSJ), an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the educational and enrichment opportunities at the elementary school in Chestnut Hill, will hold its first annual fun run and walk, Jogging for Jenks, beginning at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin's Lane on Saturday, Nov. 3. The event features a 5K run and a 1K walk.

Haviva Goldman, FOJSJ president, said the school district's recent cuts to the budget have “impacted programs that are at the heart of school.”

“The fun run is a fun way to raise money for a real community cause – supporting public education in Chestnut Hill,” said Goldman, whose son is a third grader at Jenks. “It's a great event for families – both in our school and throughout the community – whether you run, walk or just want to cheer friends and family on.”

Gerald Tracy, whose twins attend first grade at Jenks, said the permit was approved last week.

“Next year, we hope to engage a good run manager so runners will have professional times that they can use for other runs,” Tracy said. “Because we had such a short window of time this year, this year's run will be fairly informal, but next year we are going to apply for the permits months in advance.”

He said that thanks to the generosity of the pastor at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the Rev. W. Jarrett Kerbel, the kids will have a safe place to play and wait for friends and family to finish the race or walk. Tracy added that there should not be any issues with parking or traffic and said the organization had reached out to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and the Cricket Club to make sure there were no conflicting events.

Tracy said Bowman Properties had generously sponsored a moonbounce so families with kids could play and have fun while parents participate in the fun run or one-mile walk.

He added that the Friends of J.S. Jenks had set a “pretty ambitious goal of $40,000.”

“So far, the Friends of J.S. Jenks have only raised about $10, 000,” Tracy said. “We still have a long way to go.”

All the funds raised will go to support music and art programs at Jenks. FOJSJ hopes to pay visiting artists to work regularly with students to replace art classes that were lost through budget cuts.

Tracy added that the money raised at the fund runs will go towards arts and music programs that invest in the children's future.

Registration is $25 for adults and $5 for children. All participants will receive a T-shirt. Registration for the run will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a start time of 8:15 a.m. Walk registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a start time of 9 a.m. The start/finish area will feature a kids' zone, vendor tables and refreshments. Leashed pets and baby joggers are permitted.

To register online, go to https://www.runtheday.com/app/find/register/1077. To find out how to be a sponsor, contact Lauren Wiley at 609-937-4860 or laurenwiley@yahoo.com.

NOTE: The original version of this story mistakenly listed the event as taking place on Sunday Nov. 3. The date is correct, but the day is Saturday, not Sunday.

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