Race for Education mailers prepped

The Race for Education got underway with a marathon this week. Volunteers around a table on the stage at Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School prepared almost 23,000 fliers for mailing in the sixth annual fundraiser for the G-A Elementary and Primary schools.

The Race for Education on Friday, Oct. 13, is the alternate to fundraising sales such as candy, cards, sandwiches and magazines.

Wendy Witmer, vice president of the PTO, chairs the Race for Education Committee, which also includes Lois Sensenig, Holly Kendall and Nicki Hall.

She explained that a survey of parents a number of years ago indicated they would rather give money than have their children sell things. The Race for Education was born and they’ve never looked back.

Students provide address labels for friends and family who are potential sponsors when they walk or jog around the track on race day.

So they can take ownership of the fundraiser, elementary students write notes in their mailings, while the primary students sign their names, Witmer said.

The first year 15,000 fliers were mailed and the race raised $90,000. By the fifth year in 2016, the numbers climbed to 22,000 fliers and $110,000 in donations. This year, students have turned in a record of almost 23,000 addresses.

The money raised goes to provide field trips for the 1,400-plus students in kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as assemblies, PTO events and classroom needs. Funds also are used for special projects which have included improving the elementary stage, expanding the elementary playground and purchasing iPads and desktops for the schools.

During the Race for Education, students from two grades at a time will be on the track: 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., second and third grades; 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., kindergarten and first grade; and 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., fourth and fifth grades.

An assembly is held after the race and if students submit enough address labels they get to play Plinko. They also are usually rewarded by administrators or teachers doing something silly, entertaining or unusual.

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made at Race for Education, Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School, 500 E. Leitersburg St., Greencastle, PA 17225 or online at www.GCASD.org