How an HOA Collaborated with a School
I’m not a runner. My dad is a marathoner, but that gene must have skipped me. Yet, the opportunity to support Hilltop Elementary School motivated me to try a Fun Run with my five-year-old son. On a beautiful, sunny September Saturday, we gathered with numerous other families at Sunny Hill Park. The atmosphere was carnival-like, with booths featuring different race sponsors and free, fresh popcorn. High school volunteers milled about pinning race numbers and guiding participants to the starting line. Those who were participating competitively in the chip-timed race lined up in the front while parents with strollers gathered at the back.
My five-year-old, who normally complains about going on a walk after the first minute, raced off with a pack of other children and teens. I anticipated catching up with him after his enthusiasm wore off, but I never saw him again until the finish line! The route meandered through the peaceful woods surrounding the neighborhood and eventually circled back to the park. Encouraging messages scrawled in chalk lined the path. Volunteers at water stations cheered our efforts. Persevering through to the end, I was greeted with cheers as I made one last push to sprint across the finish line.
The Fun Run created an opportunity for the Jacob’s Farm neighbors to connect with local families whose children attend Hilltop Elementary. My Cocina, a local Mexican restaurant, provided authentic enchiladas, equites (Mexican street corn salad) and made-from-scratch churros drizzled with caramel. The students loved the opportunity to throw balls at a target on a dunk tank, particularly because their principal was the lucky volunteer perched precariously on the stool above the water. Xtra Mile Running provided free massages after the race.
Best of all, the Fun Run wasn’t just an entertaining day; it served a great purpose. The nearly $5800 that was raised funded smartboards for Hilltop classrooms. The Jacob’s Farm Homeowners Association, which organized the Fun Run, met some of the biggest needs identified by the school’s principal, improving the quality of the education received by the students.