IMPACT!

 

The following was supplied to me as an example of what one teacher did. This is not fiction. I think it is a testament to what impact one person can make. A person with a passion, drive and determination to change the tide can make all the difference in the world. This person could be a teacher, an administrator, a school board member, a parent, grand parent, retired individual or a student. 

 

After several years of reaping the benefits of running, I decided to inspire my third grade class of 22 children to begin a walking and/or running program with the permission from the school administration. The year was 1980 when I devised a program that would encourage each student to perform a daily after school walking program in their own neighborhood. Once a week each student would bring in his/her total miles for that week and the results would be recorded individually on a chart placed on the door to the classroom.  It was suggested that each Mom or Dad would drive the child’s course in order to get an accurate mileage.

 

It wasn’t long before the other two teachers on the team wanted to be included in the plans as did their children.  So now we had 66 children participating.  As the weeks progressed the children became more excited.  The PE teachers began to include a weekly run/walk during a PE period.

 

Realizing I was “on” to something after a while, I suggested we have a three mile walk/run in the spring to show off our newly found sport. To add incentive, we discussed getting pledges from parents and other family members to promise to pay an amount they felt the effort deserved if the student finished the three miles.  All the money would go to a charity chosen by the 66 children.  I was totally unprepared for the amount of enthusiasm this generated among the students.

 

Before we could ask for pledges we needed to get permission from the parents, then choose a date and time for the walk/run, choose a charity, and devise a pledge sheet.  About this time a group of parents asked for a meeting with me.  Imagine my surprise when they expressed their concern each had about the students running and the possibly damage running would have on the children’s feet.  My readers of this story need to be reminded that in the early 1980’s running was not a common sport.  Apparently I allayed the fears each parent expressed, for the plans were not cancelled.

 

The children suggested many charities but ultimately chose an organization for the blind which was trying to get contributions to equip telephones for blind individuals to use.  We also asked a blind sports radio broadcaster to come to our run and walk the 3 miles - he agreed.  We had a contest to design a t-shirt and the winner’s shirt had “See How They Run” on the front along with the name of the school and the year. Parents had already agreed to pay for their student’s shirt, so the order was placed.

 

We had a bright, sunny day for our walk/run in a nearby subdivision.  Parents enthusiastically cheered as each participant crossed the finish line.  Later in the week we presented our check to the local organization for the blind.  The amount of money generated was more than any other classroom’s fund raiser had ever contributed to any school charity in the school’s history. 

 

Since our event was so successful, I “donated” the idea to the Parents’ Association as a potential fundraiser.  The walk/run has evolved into a road race for all interested people in the community.  For children in grades 1-8 who wish to walk laps on the school track  there are volunteer parents who count for each student  These students had secured pledges from parents, grandparents and friends prior to the day of the event to pay for each lap walked.  There is an overall winner (some walk over 100 laps).  Each grade also has a boy and girl winner.  The charity chosen by the children receives a very substantial money donation as well.

 

This charity fund raiser continues 29 years later.

 

Alright people of Valdosta and South Georgia – are you ready to impact our area? The only stumbling block is your imagination. Stop waiting for someone else, locate interested people and work out the details. Make an impact!

 

The VSU’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country programs traveled to Tampa, FL to compete in the DII NCAA South Region Cross Country Championship held on November 7^th. The women will race a 6K and the men a 10K. The results are available on www.vstateblazers.com .

 

In February 2010 – Get Active cruise – a box of chocolates and dinner out will not compare to the Valentines cruise that South Georgia Travel has created for us. We will be going to Cozomel – leave on Thursday afternoon and return on Monday [President’s Day] morning. Contact South Georgia Travel in Valdosta for more details. The deposit is required now to assure the price and availability.

 

For more information about events in the surrounding area of South Georgia contact Get Active Running and more at 229-219-0010 or acourseline@...  :

 

• Get Active Radio Program weekly on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7PM on Talk 92.1 FM.
• Get Active Grand Prix Circuit continues with the last event on Thanksgiving Day
• November 14^th – Blazer Corps 5K Run - Valdosta
• November 21^st -  5K for Missions - Valdosta
• November 26^th – Thanksgiving Day 5K – New Event – part of the 2009 Grand Prix - Valdosta
• December 5^th – Winterfest 5K – New Event – 4:30 PM start – just before the Valdosta parade
• January 1, 2010 – New Years Day 5K – Valdosta – part of the 2010 Get Active Grand Prix
• May 31, 2010 – Memorial Day 5K – Valdosta – part of the 2010 Get Active Grand Prix
• July 4, 2010 – Valdosta 5K – Valdosta – part of the 2010 Get Active Grand Prix  
• September 6, 2010 – Labor Day 5K - Valdosta – part of the 2010 Get Active Grand Prix  
• November 25, 2010 – Thanksgiving Day 5K - Valdosta – part of the 2010 Get Active Grand Prix  
• December 4, 2010 – Winterfest 5K - Valdosta – finale of the 2010 Get Active Grand Prix  

 

If you have questions, suggestions or comments, drop me an email and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Write to getactive.val@... .

 

 

 

Thank you,

Todd Smoot

GET ACTIVE 

Running and more

GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA as heard on Talk 92.1 FM Thursdays 6 to 7 PM

GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA  as read weekly in the Sunday VDT - look for us

www.getactivevaldosta.com

3200-C North Ashley Street

Valdosta, GA 31602

229-219-0010

229-219-0012 (F)

 

In the long run, one must have goals to succeed.

 

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontaine