Giving back to your community is always a great thing to do when you have some spare time, as volunteering can instill a sense of unity, fulfillment, and pride for anyone that participates and can positively impact one’s life. The ‘Help Thy Neighbor Run’ is an annual family-friendly event in Landisville, used to help raise money and provide aid for local families in need. The 5k run is important because it not only raises money for the Help Thy Neighbor Fund, but it reinstates Hempfield’s commitment to community support and inclusion. It is also a great platform for showing that no student’s education and schooling experience will falter due to financial challenges.
The 5k started at 9am on October 11, and had many participants walking and running. Shirts in support of the run were seen being worn by everyone and could be purchased at the event or beforehand. One participant noted that, “Bringing people together is always a benefit, and it’s even better when you can make great impacts!” Many smiles were seen throughout the course of the run, and volunteers were seen cheering, clapping, and shouting words of encouragement.
Rachel Matsvayi, a volunteer, stated, “Volunteering is fun for me because it is a way to get out and do something for the community and make a difference. I look forward to pushing people on and helping out however I can”. Volunteers are greatly appreciated and getting involved is highly encouraged within our district.
The event also has a 1 mile Bubble Run for kids which consists of running, giggling, and of course bubbles! Once the children reached the end there was a table with bubble machines for them to play in and celebrate.
Valeria Garcia who helped run the station exclaimed, “Seeing the kids’ faces light up as they played with the bubbles made me smile and appreciate what we were doing”. The Bubble Run was a fun way to get children involved with parents and excited with what they were doing. Some parents even stated they were participating in the 5k and doing the Bubble Run!
Having events such as this help to foster our community and ensure a sense of unification. Whether you participated in the run or volunteered, you made an impact and it is not to go unnoticed. Supporting people and families in your area through donation, volunteer work, or connecting with local organizations is an amazing way to give back and has such a positive impact on the community. Thank you to everyone involved in this year’s ‘Help Thy Neighbor Run’!
