High School Students Organize Run to Benefit Katrina Victims
Montgomery Blair High School students have, with help from sponsors Downtown Silver Spring and Pacers put together a five-kilometer run to benefit those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Funds from race registration and donations will go to Hands On New Orleans, an organization assisting in rebuilding efforts.
The race will occur on Sunday, August 31. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by the race at 8:30 a.m. and a picnic afterwards. Registration, the 5K starting line and the picnic will be held at Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS), located at 313 Wayne Avenue. The race course goes along Sligo Creek Parkway between Wayne Avenue and Colesville Road.
Those wishing to join the effort can register for $25 at https://www.signmeup.com/61540. Race-day registration will be $35. Extra donations are also accepted through the website and the day of the race.
The students, led by rising Blair seniors Neva Bowers, Eliot Gold and Camille Huang, comprise the Montgomery Blair Katrina Project (MBKP). Other events to benefit Katrina victims are planned throughout the summer and early fall. "Though the hurricane hit in August 2005, the damage is still unbelievable," Huang says.
The MBKP began after students in Kevin Shindel's Guided Research class viewed Spike Lee's Katrina documentary, "When the Levees Broke," this past spring, showing them images they had never seen. "Most of us had no idea how little has been done to rebuild New Orleans," Bowers recalls.
The students were inspired to join the effort to restore New Orleans' life through the rebuilding process. "There are still thousands of homes and other buildings that are condemned," Huang says. "What New Orleans needs now is donations and volunteers. Since we can't be there we are doing our best to send as much money as we can."
Redskins cheerleaders will be present at the race, and free food, shirts and prizes are available. "We're very optimistic about the money we will raise, and we think that people will have a lot of fun," Gold says.
Children too young for the 5K can run in the one-kilometer Fun Run, which will be at 9:30 on the SSIMS track after the race. No registration, but prizes will be offered.
