Each time I turn off of Route 16 into Wellesley College my daughter asks, "Is this the way to the Fun Run?" She's only 3 and though it has been over 300 days since last year's Fun Run, Elle remembers it well. The races, games, face painting, prizes, buck-a-book, the Elmo she chose from the stuffed animal table, and of course the beloved lollipop pull all remain fresh in her mind. I reply, "Yes, this is the way." And she undoubtedly responds with a hopeful, "Is there a Fun Run every year, Mama?"
Yes, in fact there is. "Why?" (Elle's final and favorite question.) Because it's fun. And, families come back for fun. This year marks the 32nd Annual Fun Run and Fun Fair. It will be held at the Dorothy Towne Field House at Wellesley College's Keohane Sports Center on Saturday, March 31, from 8:30 to noon.
Families return year after year for the event that brings together parents, teachers and the community for a day of non-competitive sports, games, food and prizes. It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning as a family. And, it's a great way to support the Wellesley Community Children's Center.
Tim Mould, a former WCCC parent will be managing the races for his 12th year. He started in this role when his oldest son, Joshua, was enrolled in the WCCC's Early Childhood Program. "It was a great way to contribute to WCCC, get to know the staff, and meet other parents," he says.
"There is nothing like watching the kids participate. From the energy and joy of the 2- and 3-year-olds as they cross the finish line to the athleticism and drive of the 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds running the 880," Mould says. "For me, it's my 'winter is over, spring is here' moment. I look forward to it every year."
The races begin at 9 o'clock with the 3-year-olds and end at noon. Every child gets to wear a 'real' runner's number and earns a ribbon for participating. You can register your child to run by downloading a registration form at www.wccc.wellesley.edu. Two-year-olds need not register for the "toddler trot."
In addition to parents who volunteer, WCCC alumni are a big part of the day too. Carolyn Gee and Helen Zhang, co-founders of UniqueAbead and seniors at Wellesley High, will be donating proceeds from the hand-made jewelry they sell at the Fun Run for their sixth year. "All the jewelry we sell is designed and handcrafted by the two of us, as well as our good friend Cora Hersh," they say. Their unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings are created using materials including freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones.
Both girls' passion for jewelry making was born while attending WCCC's After School Program. "When I was in preschool, I loved stringing Fruit Loops onto yarn to make necklaces," says Gee. "My interest in beading became more serious, though, when one of the after-school teachers brought out a box of beads for a jewelry-making activity. I soon ran out of wrists and necks of my friends and family to adorn with jewelry, and combining my passion for jewelry making with my passion for helping my community — both to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief and the WCCC program — was the perfect solution." At that time Zhang, Gee and friends used supplies available at the WCCC to make and sell jewelry to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "At that moment UniqueAbead was named and born, Gee says. "I have been making jewelry ever since." Their designs can be purchased on the Etsy online store (www.etsy.com/shop/uniqueabead).
Gee and Zhang spend about 40 hours each on the jewelry they sell at the Fun Run, not including time spent budgeting, purchasing supplies and designing their work. "We volunteer because of our passion for jewelry making, our desire to support WCCC, and our desire for giving back to our community," the say. "We are very lucky to live in such a great community, where we were able to develop such a life-long passion for jewelry-making. We want other children to have the same opportunities to become passionate about something, whether it's jewelry-making or something else."
There's beading and a whole lot of "something else" for everyone at the Fun Run. Alex Rose, a 4-year-old preschooler at WCCC, looks forward to the games. "My favorite game is the fishing game," he says. "You just grab a fishing rod and try to hook it up to a fish and you get a prize from the prize basket! I also like the bow and arrow game. I like everything there!" One hand stamp allows children to play more than 15 games as many times as they wish throughout the morning. Hand stamps can be purchased for $10 for individuals or $25 for families.
Besides the prizes the kids look forward to, there are lots of opportunities for adults to win too. This year's silent auction and raffle items include an autographed John Lester baseball, Yanni concert tickets, a trip to a radio station and a number of Red Sox tickets, including monster seats, wine baskets and so much more.
In addition, the Fun Run is a great opportunity for parents to learn about the area's independent schools. Representatives from Fay School, British School of Boston, Brimmer and May School, Newton Montessori School, The Chestnut Hill School, Cambridge Friends School, Charles River School in Dover PreK-8, Wellesley Chinese Language School and The Rashi School will be available to provide information about their philosophies and admission processes.
All proceeds from the Fun Run benefit programs for the Wellesley Community Children's Center. WCCC was established in 1971 to provide quality childcare for working families. At its Early Childhood Program on the Wellesley College campus and After School sites in Wellesley Public Schools and the Fells Library, WCCC has grown to provide quality programs for over 400 children ages three months through middle school.
The Fun Run wouldn't be possible without sponsorships from the following: Wellesley Bank, Babson College, Needham Bank, First Republic Bank, Wellesley College, Advanced Sports Therapy in Wellesley, Graze, Natick Dental Partners and Wellesley Dental Group. In addition, refreshments at the Fun Run are donated by Donelan's, Peet's Coffee, Roche Bros, Sodexo Campus Services – Babson College, A. Russo & Sons, Panera Bread, Tootsie Roll Company, Sysco, and Dunkin' Donuts.
Visit www.wccc.wellesley.edu for more information about the FUN RUN including a printable registration form. Race registration fees are $6 in advance, $7 on race day, $3 for siblings. Entry forms are also available at LittleBits Toy Stores in Natick and Wellesley Hills or at WCCC's Early Childhood Program Office at Wellesley College. On the day of the event, park at the Davis Parking Garage or Distribution Center Lot (300 Central St.) just off of Route 135/Central Street in Wellesley.
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