Fundraiser promotes fitness for young students
Ryan Kuzma and Brian Polen seek to motivate students for the Fit-n-Fund fundraiser at Parkview Elementary School.
Parkview Elementary School will hold its second annual Fit-n-Fund run in an effort to raise $11,000 to create a welcoming, safe and fun outdoor space for its students and the surrounding neighborhood on April 27.
In the event, every Parkview student will run on the school’s track for 30 minutes. Building up to the event, the students’ fundraising is key.
“This was my favorite day of last year,” principal Sara Crooks said. “I’m looking forward to doing it again.”
“I’ve been practicing laps outside," said Trent Hamilton, age 8 and a third-grader at the school. He also said he “wants to help his friend Jaden” on race day.
A classmate said he’s been doing push-ups in preparation. Another student said she’d posted on social media.
With partner Vertical Runner of downtown Wooster, the campaign has two main areas of focus: save half for the future and use half to meet an immediate need.
First, Parkview’s playground is in decent shape now but will need larger renovations in coming years. Second, half will be used to meet an immediate need.
“It could be a small play structure, trees for much-needed shade or rocks for climbing," according to Parkview PTO. Students, teachers and staff will vote on these priorities.
“We’re so excited to partner with Vertical Runner," Crooks said.
Vertical Runner specializes in race management and provides everything from electronic race timing, to advice, to start and finish-line structures, to online registration, to apparel sourcing.
“Brian Polen’s energy is contagious,” Crooks said.
Polen uses his motivational skills to encourage the students in their fundraising efforts as well as to promote the fitness aspects of the endeavor.
At a recent pep rally for the event, Polen shared six principles for the students to follow as they get ready for the event: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand and then to be understood, and synergy because together is better.
Ryan Kuzma, who has three children at Parkview and whose wife is PTO president at the school, also has been essential in motivating the students.
“Ryan and his wife put so much into this school,” Crooks said
Students are offered numerous rewards for their efforts. First prize is a free pair of running shoes from Vertical Runner.
For every $1,000 students collect, one staff member will receive a pie in the face. The participation raffle will draw 20 names from the students who raise $10 or more for a trip to Wayne Lanes for bowling.
The class that collects the most money will take a trip to the Gault Center for fun and games. Trophies will be given to the boy and girl from each grade who run the most laps. Each class also will create its own set of mini rewards as a way to motivate students to reach their goals together. Every child will receive a necklace and one foot charm for participating.
As an incentive for fundraising, Polen said he would Skype immediately after his run in the Boston Marathon with the classroom that has the most students who’ve reached $10.
Polen said running, particularly at this age, is a wonderful confidence booster for kids. “If a couple kids gain confidence from it, I’ll consider it a success,” he said.
Donate online at verticalrunnerrm.com. May 2 is the last day for donations.