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The run, which benefits numerous local organizations, was held on Oct. 16, but the students began raising money long before race day.
Suzanne Leslie, a physical education teacher at the elementary school, said students donated to the cause for about three weeks.
“Every student and teacher at Carrie E. Tompkins was given a sneaker,” she said. “The students colored and decorated their sneakers in any way they wanted and brought in at least $1 with it. I was amazed at the level of creativity these students had when decorating their sneakers.”
In addition to contributing the sneakers, students often practiced their cardiovascular endurance fitness, according to the school district.
Kindergarten and first-grade students played tag, participated in outdoors activities and took nature walks around the school before the race, said Leslie, who added that third- and fourth-graders ran on the school’s track and grass fields.
“Students were asked to set a goal each day for the number of laps they could run and they even had the opportunity to use pedometers to keep track of their steps,” Leslie said.
According to the school district, the money raised during the elementary school’s efforts will benefit the Chapin Memorial Run, a nonprofit organization that benefits such groups as Cortlandt Emergency Food Bank, Croton Caring Committee, Caring for the Homeless of Peekskill, Hillside Food Outreach, the Food Bank for Westchester and WhyHunger.
“We are so excited to donate to these wonderful organizations,” Leslie said. “The students were so happy when they brought their sneakers in, and the sneaker wall looks wonderful!”
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