West Hills Fundraiser Will Color Kittanning Next Weekend

by Jonathan Weaver

A splash of color will surround the Richard G. Snyder YMCA next weekend to raise money for students at two local schools.

The 2nd annual Healthy Start 5K Color Run/Walk – coordinated through the West Hills PTO – will be held Sunday, October 23 along North Water Street and the Armstrong Trail in Kittanning.

The fundraiser was the brainchild of PTO President Deanna Wise – who said it was initially thought up in 2014.

“I went to a color run that they held at Pittsburgh Mills Mall. My children (fifth grader Maddox, second-grader Quinn and now-Armstrong Junior/Senior High seventh graders Mason and Morgan) went (too) and it was a lot of fun,” Wise said. “This was an opportunity to bring it more local and at a much-reduced cost – and still benefit the school.”

Wise said participants at the September 2015 run wanted the PTO to host another in Spring 2016.

And it also helped the PTO pay for all student yearbooks, field trips and assemblies.

“It definitely helped,” PTO Corresponding Secretary Danielle Panchik said.

“And we’ve already exceeded (how much money was raised) last year,” Wise added.

Both women hope to reach the $7,500 threshold to help reach the annual $60,000 goal.

“People don’t understand how much it costs to do things within the school,” Wise said.

Wise and Panchik – who was ‘colored’ last year by her daughters (eight-year-old Allie and five-year-old Matilyn) knew of students that will raise about $180 each before next weekend’s race.

There are currently about 1,200 students between West Hills Primary and West Hills Intermediate schools.

Moments before the 1PM race, participants will receive a color pack to throw in the air and paint themselves in the cloud of multi-colored dust. Students will also be decked out in color tattoos, blinky badges and rainbow socks based on how much they fundraised.

Primary Principal Paula Berry was even colored for last year’s race, while Intermediate Principal Chuck Kreinbucher sprayed participants with the dyed cornstarch.

“Run part of it, walk part of it – whatever you feel like doing. It’s just a fun race,” Wise said. “You’re not being timed, it’s not a competition – it’s just a fun race.

“A fun, family event.”

While more than 150 participants have already registered for the run, additional registration will begin next Sunday at 11:30AM.

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