Blue / White weekend is always fun, but this year was particularly enjoyable. There was the festival, the game, the bright weather Friday and most of Saturday, and the buzz created by the announcement that Penn State will raise $2 billion in the next four years, much of it to support students directly.
But the best part for me was to see the success of Sue Paterno’s inspiration: the first annual 5K Run for Special Olympics. Despite threatening weather, hundreds turned out to run, to walk, and to watch–all in a great cause. Sue Paterno was thrilled with the turnout and the financial support generated for Special Olympics. Check out the Collegian’s story on the event for more details.
And Sue Paterno was very pleased that so many Paterno Fellows volunteered their time to help. Here are some of the people who stepped up (I’m sure I’m missing some too): Christine Theberge, Ashley Simon, Alex Pecora, Dolce-Marie Fletcher, Adaola Onyenaka, Caitlin Bonsman, Bevin Hernandez, Erin Morton, Christen Buckley, Eydsa La Paz, Lauren Perrotti, Kaitlun Lynes, Adam Boyer, Kate Burlingame, Sarah Eissler, Chloe Rommes, Alyssa Symanski, and Danielle Emerson all pitched in to register runners, handle race details, and clean up.
This will be an annual event, no doubt about it, one that is sure to grow into something big. And given how much fun it was and how much the Paterno Fellows took to it, I’m thinking it should be an annual philanthropy as well. Now that we know it’ll be happening next April, we can get organized in a major way to help–let’s provide volunteers to find runners, to scare up contributors and sponsors, to help out during race weekend, and even to provide a bunch of runners who are PaternoFellows.
I’ll be in touch with you in the Fall semester to see who wants to take a leadership role as we organize a major effort, as well as to see who just wants to help. I’m imagining an overall coordinator of the Paterno Fellows team, as well as coordinators to find race-day volunteers, Friday and Saturday volunteers, racers, and who knows what else.
It’ll be a perfect way for many of you to fulfill your commitment to give back.
PS I have just one regret:
Franco Harris showed up to lend his support as well. But I missed an opportunity to ask him if the ball touched the ground on his famous Immaculate Reception catch as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
Paterno Fellows: It’s a Challenge