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Race to benefit literacy efforts
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Published: September 4, 2008
Literacy and running don't usually have much in common, but during the Historic Mooresville 5K on Sept. 13, the two will combine to help local children.
Vince Pastore, an avid runner, started the race with a few friends three years ago.
"I wanted to bring people to the downtown area to help revitalize it, while giving fellow runners a moderately challenging course to participate in," Pastore explained. "It's a good workout and you're celebrating the town you live in."
Giving back to the community was also on his mind while organizing the race. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mooresville Public Library and the Starfish Academy, a reading camp held at the YMCA.
"Without literacy, the success of a child is prohibited," he said. "Not being able to read increases the chance of a child getting into trouble. Helping a child learn how to read is not only beneficial to the individual, it's also beneficial to the society in which they live; it helps them become a more productive member of that society."
Donna Corriher, community development director for the Lowe's YMCA is thrilled Pastore chose Starfish Academy as one of the recipients.
"Children need to graduate to be successful and reading is a big part of that," Corriher said.
The six-week program helps children who don't pass their end-of-grade reading tests and brings them together with certified Mooresville Graded School system teachers in order to catch up with their peers over the summer.
"We overlap that with fun, so it feels more like a camp," Corriher added. "We'll let them run through the sprinklers, take them on field trips to the movies or bowling. We try to make it fun, since kids are a little resistant to learning in the summer."
Starfish Academy is free for the participants and is totally dependent on funds donated or raised by the YMCA. The cost per child is $1,200.
"We raised about $4,000 last year for both charities," Pastore said. "I'm hoping for at least $5,000 this year, because it's always great to be able to raise more for them."
The 5K starts at 8 a.m. and costs $20 prior to the race day, and $25 after. For kids 12 and under who would like to help out a worthy cause and get some exercise, the 1K Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. Top runners can win free shoes from Metzger's Footcare, gift cards from Dick's Sporting Goods or Run for Your Life certificates.
Those who would like to help without running can volunteers at the event.
"We can't do the event without them," Pastore said. "They ensure the safety of our runners by standing at intersections to protect them from cars, hand out water and help with registration. It's simple to do and it really helps out a lot."
To register for the race or to learn more about becoming a volunteer, go to www.historicmooresville5k.com.
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