By Julie Meade
The 15th annual Katie Welling Memorial Run/Walk honoring the life of Katie Welling, a 2002 BHS graduate who died in an off-campus fire at Miami University in Ohio at the age of 21, will be held virtually again this year for maximum safety and flexibility due to continuing COVID concerns. This beloved Bronxville tradition benefits the Bronxville School Foundation.
Participants can complete a 2.5-mile run, walk or bike any time from November 15 through 30. Walking or running on a treadmill or riding on a stationary bike counts too and is a great way to participate virtually in this wonderful community event!
“Last year, it was incredible to see the many creative ways that people chose to participate in Katie’s Run over the two-week virtual event,” said Rob Crystal, the Bronxville School Foundation’s Chairperson. “Many people participated from places far beyond Bronxville’s one square mile, while others honored the wonderful tradition of Katie’s Run by finishing the event at the Bronxville School track. Even though we could not all be together, participants uploaded great photos to a community album that allowed us to share in the virtual event together and feel the special sense of community that Katie’s Run creates.” The virtual event raised more than $20,000 from over 200 participants and donors.
Participants are invited again this year to upload photos of themselves, families and friends to a community photo album on the event’s registration website at www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org. You can also view some of last year’s great pictures for inspiration!
Katie’s Run/Walk was created by friends and family to commemorate her great sense of humor, infectious laugh and love of life. With the support of her friends, village residents, Bronxville School faculty, staff and alumni and village merchants, Katie’s Run has raised nearly $240,000 since its inception in 2007. These funds go to maintaining the excellence of the Bronxville School by enabling the Bronxville School Foundation to make grants for equipment, curriculum and specialized programs that the Bronxville School would not have otherwise been able to afford. This past year, the Foundation’s support was more critical than ever in enabling our school to reopen safely during this unprecedented time.
“We are honored that the Wellings chose the Foundation as their partner fifteen years ago and look forward to a great event this year,” said Rob Crystal. “We were thrilled to call Tom Welling our colleague during his years of dedicated service to the Foundation.”
To register for the 15th Annual Katie Welling Run/Walk, please go to: https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org and click on the banner in the upper right-hand corner.
There is no registration fee again this year, but a tax-deductible contribution would be appreciated and would be of great benefit to the Bronxville School Foundation.
For more information on Katie’s Run/Walk or the Bronxville School Foundation, please contact Executive Director, Helena McSherry at (914) 395-0515 or hmchserry@bronxvilleschool.org.