Running Rosie (played by Jeff Foulke), along with Christie Taylor and Dan Budd, inspired kids at the 2018 Fun Run Kick off. Photo courtesy of Klager PTO.

The Klager Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) kicked off their annual fundraising Fun Run last Wednesday.

The PTO’s Cassie Carpenter described the Fun Run, “The Fun Run is a no-nonsense, health centered event in which the kids from Riverside Intermediate and Klager Elementary raise pledge money, win a variety of prizes, and participate in an afternoon of friendly, non-competitive walking/running/dancing/skipping the high school athletic track. A cool treat donated each year by the Manchester Market is then provided to each student.” The Fun Run will be the PTO’s ONLY fundraiser of the year if the fundraising goal is met. This year’s Fun Run pledges are being collected until Friday, October 5th.

The kickoff assembly featured Dan Budd as the event MC and a special fitness guest speaker, Christie Taylor, who spoke to the students about the importance and benefits of incorporating regular exercise into their lives. Manchester’s Jeff Foulke played the role of Klager’s beloved mascot, Rockin’ Rosie at the kickoff event and a new face, Ruth Raleigh, will be dressing as Rosie on October 3rd at the actual Fun Run at the high school track from 12:45-1:35 pm for Riverside students and 1:45-2:35 pm for Klager students.

Carpenter explained that although the organization is called Klager PTO, they will be supporting both the Klager and Riverside buildings, which house grades up through 6th. Last year was the group’s first year of supporting 5th and 6th grades, which came about as K-6th were all housed at Klager last year. They will continue to do that this year, just across two buildings.

“The Fun Run is a very fundamental part of our organization’s success and our parents and students rely on the funds raised,” Carpenter stated. The PTO funds each student’s field trip expenses, fulfills teacher wish lists, sponsors the Senior Citizen Luncheon, funds and sponsors the Talent Show, beautifies school properties, provides upgrades and maintenance to equipment and so much more, funds assemblies, and hosts social events such as Winterfest, and the Kindergarten Yahoo Boohoo breakfast.

She continued, “Last year, our organization spent over $20,000 on these expenses. We are hoping for another successful year of fundraising by our students and sponsors. In the past, we have also received support from Manchester Market, Manchester Pharmacy, LaRock Dental, The Kiwanis Club, Adiska Dental and even donations from community members. We hope to see that same level of support from our local business owners and community members seeing as how many of our activities are not just student centered, but community centered as well.”