The Moorestown High School’s Interact Community Service Club is all about helping the community and making the world a more positive place in which to live. The club has done a lot of events this school year, and it isn’t done yet.
For a third year in a row, the Interact Club is organizing a 5k walk/run for the DREAM Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving children living in low-income housing with adventure and mentoring opportunities. Proceeds will go toward helping the DREAM chapter in Philadelphia.
The MHS DREAM 5k walk/run will be on Sunday, May 31 at 9:30 a.m. at Moorestown High School. Registration is 8:30 a.m. the day of, or participants can sign-up at runsignup.com. It is $15 for students and $25 for adults.
“This event is going to help raise money for the DREAM Foundation, which will go toward the Philadelphia chapter. It’s a great way to give back to people in our area and goes toward a great cause,” said Sarah Gally, a sophomore member of the Interact Community Service Club.
This will be the club’s third year hosting the walk/run. It originally started in 2013 when Amira Scarmella, a junior member of the Interact Community Service Club, got connected with the DREAM Foundation through her mother and other friends. She started it along with other members of the Interact Community Service Club. The event had such a great turnout and good interaction among event goers the club decided to make the DREAM 5k one of its major events.
Students and other volunteers help the event by either participating in the walk/run or helping in other areas, such as with sign ups or giving out snacks for runners.
This year, the Interact Community Service Club is trying to get different and more sponsors, as well as a better turnout of participants. Wegmans, Pie Lady, Starbucks and Lexus of Cherry Hill are sponsors so far for this year. Last year, there were around 100 participants, and the club raised more than $2,000, and it would love to see more. Club members would like to make more of a donation to the foundation by getting more advertising and people participating.
“Bring out all your family and friends so that we can have a better turnout than the past couple of years,” Gally said.
Sign up the day of the event, at the Moorestown Running Company or online at runsignup.com. Those who participate will receive a free t-shirt, rally towels and snacks at the end of the walk/race. There are also prizes for the winners of the DREAM 5k.
Gally hopes those who come to the DREAM 5k realize they are not only helping others and their community, but themselves as well.
“I hope they take away that not only are you giving back to the community, but you’re helping yourself by staying in shape and doing something worthwhile and for a good cause. It makes you feel good,” Gally said. “I would highly recommend people coming out and giving back to the community. It really helps to make you feel like you’re making a change in the world and creative a positive environment to live in.”
