Photos by Rob Spring Photography.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — To quote our Foundation Board Chair and close friend Frank Messa, “This just has to be one of the great fundraising stories of all time. I’m sure it happens elsewhere, but it seems as if Saratoga has a disproportionate number of these kinds of stories - small community coming together to create a do good / feel good story that would have seemed impossible at the outset.”
“Eleven years ago, this event started out in a parking lot with post it notes and now is approaching a half million dollars in funds raised, and is attracting close to 1,000 children, their parents, and friends. This is incredible – and this is our community. We can’t thank you all enough,” said Amy Raimo, vice president of community engagement at Saratoga Hospital.
“We are absolutely thrilled that so many families came out to support pediatric care,” said Heath Ames of Cantina restaurant, who conceived the idea with her husband Jeff and brought it to Saratoga Hospital. “The weather was perfect, and it was extraordinary to watch this sea of children and families, all there to help other kids. We love how this community shows up,” she continued.
There were over 100 volunteers helping to make sure the event was a success. Since it first started in 2008, the Fun Run has raised nearly $490,000 to benefit pediatric emergency services at Saratoga Hospital, as well as pediatric dental care at Saratoga Hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center.
1 Mile Run (Boys)
1st: Gianangelo Lanza
2nd: Owen Mongan
3rd: Brady Murphy
1 Mile Run (Girls)
1st: Emily Bush
2nd: Madison Nesbitt
3rd: Talia Anderson
¼ Mile Run (Boys)
1st: Rainier Pyle
2nd: Thomas Tyler
3rd: Bennet Snyder
¼ Mile Run (Girls)
1st: Madison Pyle
2nd: Vangie Johnson
3rd: Kate Greiner
Healthiest School Contest
(highest percentage of registered students)
Saratoga Independent School
