ROTARY RUN supports CHARITIES
The 25th Annual Rotary Run Charity Classic Oct. 6 generated more than $90,000 to support local charities.
More than 700 runners — including 185 runners from Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 — participated this year.
The top two elementary schools were Oak School with 53 participants and Hinsdale Middle School with 38 participants.
The traveling “Mrs. B Trophy” (named for Oak School P.E. teacher Marianne Biedrzycki) was awarded to Oak School. The “Mr. K Cup”, named after former Clarendon Hills Middle School Principal Walter Kistenfeger, was won by Hinsdale Middle School.
Hootie of the Oak School Owls was crowned this year’s winner in the mascot race. He competed against eight other mascots from District 181 schools: Echo of the Clarendon Hills Middle School Eagles, Bowser of the Elm School Bulldogs, Paws of the Madison School Panthers, Miles of the Monroe School Mustangs, Dash of the Prospect School Panthers, Spike of The Lane School Bulldogs, Walker of the Walker School Wildcats and Sparta of the Hinsdale Middle School Spartans. Many parents and staff also participated and cheered the runners on.
The race benefits the District 181 Foundation, the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, the Ray Graham Association-Hanson Center, The Rotary Club of Hinsdale Foundation and The Community House.
Race results are listed in sports shorts on Page 43.
WELLNESS GALA RAISES $1 MILLION
The Joie De Vivre ball to benefit Wellness House was an inspiring, sold-out event with 576 guests in attendance at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago.
About $1.1 million was raised for people affected by cancer. This included a $300,000 matching gift, made by a collective group of donors to the newly established Jeannie Cella Child & Family Fund. This fund is part of the Wellness House endowment and will support programs for children and families in perpetuity. In response to the match, more than $330,000 was donated during the paddle raise to support current child and family programs.
The ball was chaired by Anna and Nick Fiascone, Sarah and Sam Richardson and Christine and John Trainer. The highlight of the event was a video presentation produced by Maureen Muldoon with an original song created by Cathy Richardson. The video featured three families who have used Wellness House Child and Family Programs and experienced a loss.
This annual fundraiser is critical to supporting the mission of Wellness House, where all services are offered at no cost to educate, support and empower participants so they will improve their physical and emotional well-being.
A photo appears online at https://www.facebook.com/thehinsdalean.
MONROE OPENS MOVEMENT LAB
Monroe School celebrated the opening of its new Movement Lab with a ribbon cutting and open house Oct. 15.
The school uses the lab for student “brain breaks” throughout the day, for students who require sensory/movement breaks along with indoor recess and physical education.
“Movement helps activate the brain and get it ready for learning,” Principal Justin Horne said. “We are so grateful to the PTO for supporting this initiative. They have gone out of their way to seek the input of our staff and even met with several soon-to-be retired teachers to find out what would make the biggest impact on the most students. The idea for this movement lab came out of that meeting and we are so fortunate to have it.
“Thank you to retired PE teacher Judy Tiggelaar for consistently impressing upon all of us how valuable movement is for the brain as well as for the emotional well being. Thank you to (District 181 Superintendent) Dr. (Hector) Garcia and the District for supporting this venture.”
Photos appear online at https://www.facebook.com/thehinsdalean.
