ABC Run/Walk #126 is February 5

by:  Merlin Anderson (abcrunner@frontier.com)

When:           Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, 8:30 a.m. (doors open 8:00)
                       -- Wear the color of your favorite team, win a Super Bowl quiz, more festivities TBD.

Where:           Children's Home + Aid, 403 South State Street, Bloomington
(Directions: From Washington Street, turn South on Towanda Avenue, turn East on Grove, then South on State Street)
For more info about Children's Home + Aid, go to http://www.childrenshomeandaid.org

Benefits:      The Scott Early Learning Center     

Why:        

The Scott Early Learning Center annually serves 200 McLean County children 6 weeks to 6 years of age. It serves families of all income levels but 75% of all children qualify for some assistance.  Many of the children have been born in high-risk environments and face significant barriers to healthy development and learning. There is a strong correlation between early education and future success in the classroom. A good quality early education can boost a child’s IQ as much as 10 points.  

Here are a couple examples of what a $30 donation can provide…

1) Arts and Crafts supplies for one activity each for 10 Learning Center classrooms,
2) One field trip for a classroom to the Children’s Discovery museum.  You can make a difference.

Cost:              Free – but donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. (Cash, or checks payable to Children's Home + Aid)                          

Note: If you are a State Farm employee/retiree, you can submit documentation of your contribution to the State Farms Matching Grant program!

Distances:   4  miles = total distance from Children's Home + Aid to the triangle and back, or
                       8 miles = distance from Children’s Home + Aid to GE Park & back.

Amenities:  Water/Gatorade will be at the triangle (in the shelter). 
                      Food/drink at finish, including Meg's coffee cake.  Bring something to share if you wish. 

p.s. Thanks so much to the participants/contributors in ABC #125 that donated an impressive total of $838 to Sugar Grove Nature Center that will be used toward a microscope camera that connects to the large-screen TV for cool educational experiences for kids.The unit costs about $1,000 but there is a potential for an extra couple hundred dollars if all of the State Farm participants apply under State Farm’s matching grant program.

Tentative schedule of upcoming ABC runs:

ABC#127: Saturday, March 18, at Robyn & Gregg’s home, for McLean County Child Protection Network
ABC#128: Saturday, April 15, at/for The Baby Fold
ABC#129: Saturday, May 20, at/for Timber Pointe Easter Seals Camp (aka Multi-Sport Day)
ABC#130: Sunday, July 16, at the Brown’s, for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
ABC#131: Saturday, August 12, at the Schumacher’s, for Seedling Theatre
ABC#132: Sunday, October 1, at Sugar Grove Nature Center, for Heartland Head Start
ABC#133: Saturday, November 11, at the Sheridan’s, for Boys & Girls Club
ABC#134: Saturday, December 2, at the Sparks’, for Adopt-A-Family