Emmaus High: Let's 'Give Back' to Boston Marathon Victims

Special to Patch by Nina Rowan, Emmaus High School sophomore

By now, most of America is all too familiar with the gritty details of the tragic Boston Marathon Bombing that occurred on April 15th of this year. Well, it’s less than month later, and already Emmaus High School is doing something to help. The high school’s efforts to help the victims of the tragedy began few weeks ago, when the EHS student government started selling “Boston Strong” t-shirts to students and faculty. When they realized what a success the t-shirt fundraiser was, they knew they needed to do something bigger to benefit those affected by the bombing.

On Sunday, May 19th, the EHS student government will be hosting a running festival entitled “Giving Back Around the Track,” to which all are invited to attend. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on the high school’s track located in the EHS football stadium.

Participants are asked to collect $25 in pledges beforehand, which can be either fixed or per lap/mile.Those who raise at least $25 in pledges will then receive a Boston Strong t-shirt and wristband, a goodie bag, and a free pancake breakfast at the Applebee’s in Trexlertown on Saturday, May 18th.  All proceeds from the event will be submitted to the Spread the Love Fund, which helps to provide care throughout Boston hospitals for victims who sustained serious injuries from the Boston Marathon bombings.

If you’re not a fan of running alone, you can chose to be a part of an 8-person 2-hour relay. Just gather seven friends, and follow the one and only rule: you must have at least one team member at all times running on the track from 10 a.m. until noon. A prize will be awarded to the team who can collectively run the most miles within the two hour time frame. The prizes don’t stop there! Other goodies will also be awarded to the individual who raises the most money, the runner who wears the best costume, and the runner who was the most spirited throughout the event.

If you’re not a fan of running whatsoever, that’s okay! Participants are encouraged to go along at their own pace, as long as they start at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., or 11 a.m. And, yes, you may absolutely walk the entire thing if you so desire!

If you’re just simply not an athletic person, you should definitely still attend. There are many awesome things available for non-runners to participate in such as a raffle, a donut-eating contest, and a get-well card station for the victims!

Giving Back Around the Track will be a really fun day for everyone, so I implore you to please bring your friends, family, and co-workers to this wonderfully rewarding event.

Further information can be found at http://givingbackaroundthetrack.eventbrite.com.