5K race honors Llano teacher while restocking school supplies for kids in need
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
LLANO — One of Shannon Kaspar’s passions was running. The Llano Elementary School teacher enjoyed hitting the pavement and didn’t mind doing it for a good cause, including an annual school supply drive fun run.
But several years ago, the beloved teacher passed away. The First Baptist Church of Llano’s Women’s Ministry decided to honor Kaspar by naming the annual school supplies 5K after her.
“Oh my, she was a teacher at Llano Elementary School for over 20 years,” said Brenda Park, this year’s Shannon Kaspar 5K for School Supplies organizer. “She loved to run. She died suddenly about five years ago, so the ministry decided to name the race after her.”
The annual Shannon Kaspar 5K for School Supplies is Oct. 19. It starts at the church’s activity center, 907 Berry St. The runners hit the road at 8:30 a.m.[box]IF YOU GO
WHAT: Shannon Kaspar 5K for School Supplies fun run
WHEN: Oct. 19 with race beginning at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: First Baptist Church activity center, 907 Berry St. in Llano
REGISTRATION: Runners can register up to day of race; cost is $25 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and younger and $55 for families.
FOR MORE: Go to http://llano5kforschoolsupplies.webs.com or www.fbcllano.org[/box]
“It’s a fairly easy course,” Parker said. “We have one big hill, though, called Water Tower Hill.”
While organizers hand out medals to the top three finishers in each age group (men’s and women’s divisions), Parker said the heart of the run is to have fun.
“We hope people and families come out and enjoy the event,” she said.
The money raised from the run goes to the Women’s Ministry’s school supply fund. Parker said Llano school counselors typically stock a closet at each campus with school supplies. During the year, counselors dole out those supplies to students who need them but might be unable to afford them.
As the school supplies dwindle, the counselors reach out to the ministry for assistance in refilling the closets.
“A campus counselor will contact one of the (ministry members), and we’ll get them the money to buy more supplies,” Parker said.
People can register up to the day of the 5K. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for youth 18 and younger and $55 for families.
Go to http://llano5kforschoolsupplies.webs.com or www.fbcllano.org for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com