Wilder Elementary School families and neighborhood community celebrated the end of a successful school year with the second annual Wilder Pioneer 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 12. Students, parents, staff and community friends ran/walked to raise money for Wilder PTA student activities with a portion of the fundraising being donated to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health).
Blendon Township government officials and police officers supported the event by helping the PTA volunteers with the logistics of planning and holding a 5K run/walk in the school’s neighborhood community. This event both serves as a fundraiser and the culminating activity for the 130 student runners who meet with their coach, Cindy Vanderbilt, every Friday during recess as members of the Wilder Run Club. Neighbors came out to cheer on the runners and walkers. Staff family members also participated in the event, holding true that at Wilder Elementary School, family matters!
Among the participants were Dominic and Christy Hoppe. Dominic, a fourth grader, returned to school in early April, after overcoming a two-year battle with cancer. The Wilder School Community joined Christy and the Hoppe family in celebrating this very special Mother’s Day weekend. Principal Victoria Hazlett thanked the Wilder PTA Board, parent and staff volunteers, community members, and “all the awesome Wilder Pioneer student runners and walkers.”