Community Impact: Color Run & Staff Back to School Breakfast
/Through this Blog series, we’ll be highlighting the community’s impact on different PTO-sponsored events. Read what your contributions made possible for the Color Run and Staff Back to School Breakfast.
First Ever Kids Color Run Fundraiser - August 27, 2023
This year the PTO kicked off the school year with the Color Run - a fundraiser where participants in PreK through 5th grade run, skip, walk or roll through colored powder, turning the runners into a messy rainbow of color. What’s a better way to kick off the school year than making a mess outside in the sunshine with your friends?
This event drew over 150 runners and raised over $1200 for the Holliston PTO! Fundraisers are a critical component of the PTO’s ability to fund programs that support our schools and students such as Parent to Parent, Culture Connection, Mindshare, Grants, Social Events (dances, carnivals, field days), and so much more.
The equally critical component to the PTO’s ability to operate is the VOLUNTEERS! None of our events or programs would be possible without the amazing members of the HPS community who choose to offer their time and talents to make these events a reality. Twenty volunteers offered up their Sunday morning to throw color, check in participants, sell snacks, and make sure fun was had by all.
This new fundraiser was the idea of the newly established Fundraising Committee in June of 2023. In just 2 short months of planning, the Color Run was made a reality. Many thanks to Lindsay Galvin for initiating the planning, and Lucy Weinburg and May Ramos who went above and beyond to make it all happen! From setting up the race registration website, to booking the Kona ice truck, to making Color Run T-Shirts and coordinating with the many involved parties - this team did a fantastic job in a short period of time.
We especially thank the administration for allowing us to hold this event on school grounds, and to Mr. Keim for saving the day with the speaker and microphone!
Thank you to everyone who participated, planned, and supported the Color Run. The money raised will go towards funding 2023-2024 school year programs.
Volunteers*:
Amanda Furlong
Anna Mensing
Barbara Ryan
Beth Leach
Brenda Elwell
Eliza Watt
Emma Elizabeth Scott
Evie Thibault
Hiatt Mueller
Jacalyn Judd
Jess Scalzo
Jimmy Ryan
Katie DellaRocca
Kyle Raffi
Lindsay Galvin
May Ramos
Melissa Hutchinson
Micah Watt
Mirembe Reed
Nadeeka Thiththagalla Gamage
Pooja Gupta
Preetha Rao
Sarah Kane
Stacey Raffi
*We apologize if we missed anyone - this list is from the sign up genius as of 8/25/13
Staff Back to School Breakfast - August 28, 2023
For several years the PTO has been hosting the Staff Back to School Breakfast on the first day of school for employees. This breakfast is held at the high school where all of the district staff have an initial meeting at the start of the school year. Sarah Rotz has been organizing this warm welcome for over 10 years with the help of many dedicated volunteers.
This year, $990 was donated from the community to fund the catering and purchase of other supplies. In addition, over 20 community members purchased items at the grocery store and delivered to the homes of the breakfast organizers, who then had to set up at 6AM on a Monday (that’s dedication!).
Thank you to the amazing HPS community for your generous donations and time spent working together to give the HPS staff a great start to the 2023-2024 school year!
Do you have an idea for a fundraiser or PTO initiative? Or are you looking to get involved in existing programs? Please let us know - we’d love to involve as many HPS community members as possible! Whether you want to volunteer at one event, make a donation, or join a committee or hold a PTO position - there are options to work with anyone’s schedule or bandwidth.
Volunteers*:
Barbara Ryan
Catie Ehret
Joy Green
Kaela Doss
Karen DiModica
Karla Alfred
Kerry Peterson
Pooja Gupta
Sarah Rotz
Stacey Raffi
*We apologize if we missed anyone - this list is from the sign up genius as of 8/28/13
