STEPS TO HELP KIDS

RSVP’s annual ‘Run Wild’ at the Elmwood Park Zoo benefits children’s programs

NORRISTOWN >> On Sunday, October 14th, more than 300 attendees came out to participate in RSVP’s 13th annual Run Wild 5K and 1 Mile Animal Safari Walk held at the Elmwood Park Zoo benefiting RSVP’s children’s programs.

This family-friendly event combined with a USAT&F certified course and state-of-the-art chip timing for the runners allowed participants to enjoy free zoo admission and provided something for every family member.

All race day proceeds benefit RSVP’s children’s programs reaching 6,220 children and their families throughout our area by providing new gift books six times each year to 669 Head Start preschool students and read-aloud workshops for their parents; supporting 163 reading tutors who assist more than 1,900 elementary school children; several classrooms of local students bridge the generation gap and communicate with corporate pen pals to revive the art of letter writing; 1,074 disadvantaged students receive individualized virtual math tutoring and interactive STEM career presentations to advance learning, 30+ at-risk students are matched with long-term dedicated mentors; volunteer tutors reach 500 youth as they support classroom teachers, work as aids and presenters at museums, judge science fairs and help juvenile offenders through a youth aid panel.

Overall fastest male runner was Ross Perni with a time of 17:12. Fastest female was Abigail Cember with a time of 18:43. Age categories enabled participants as young as five and as old as seventy to compete among their peers and receive medals and recognition for their efforts. Multi-generational families and corporate as well as teams of friends raced, walked, visited with zoo animals and enjoyed a great day together.

RSVP would like to thank and recognize our generous Sponsors: Citadel, Peoples Security, Bryn Mawr Trust, Renewal by Anderson, UBS, CCRES. Meridian Bank, RBC Wealth Management, AXA Advisors, Elmwood Park Zoo, Univest, Hyatt, Kathleen M. Rotz Lung Cancer Research Fund, TayganPoint Consulting; The Carney Group, The Gedney Group, Stephano Slack, LLC; Richard & Dottie Singer, Herr’s and Wawa.

And a special thank you to the many dedicated volunteers, including RSVP board members and students from West Chester University who helped to make this a memorable and fun event.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Medal winners representing eight age

SUBMITTED PHOTO Overall female winner Abigail Cember crosses the finish line at 18:43.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Overall male winner Ross Perni crosses the finish line at 17:12