MILLSTONE — The Millstone Township K-8 School District PTO and PTSA are joining forces to host the first Color-A-Thon on Oct. 18 at the Millstone Township Middle School, 5 Dawson Court.
Registration and pre-race activities will begin at 8 a.m. The Color-A-Thon race is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
The event was initially scheduled for May, but subsequently rescheduled for October.
The fundraiser is an exciting bonding experience, according to Christina Baldino, who is chairing the event.
Participants get color-blasted in safe, eco-friendly, plant-based powdered dye throughout the course, she said.
“My kids are so excited to take part in this event,” Baldino said. “It is a great way to bring our community together for a memorable time.”
Baldino said organizers are hoping to draw hundreds of families from Millstone and surrounding communities to the Oct. 18 event. All of the participants will line up behind a giant inflatable arch at the starting line. Following the race, participants can jam out to music at the “After Blast Party.”
“We will count down to when everyone rips open their color packets to share a blast of color with family, friends and everyone around,” Baldino said. “The result (of a Color-A-Thon) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, all while exercising and having fun running alongside classmates, teachers, administrators and members of the community.”
There will be a food truck on site, activities for children and numerous vendors.
The event is quite special to organizers for more than one reason.
“It is our first community-wide partnership,” Baldino said. “It is also our first Color-A-Thon. We think it will be a great deal of fun for people to get blasted with color along the race route. We hope to make this an annual event.”
Middle school Athletic Director Joseph Muni has mapped out a 2.5-mile course. Part of the terrain is the middle school cross country course and part of the layout is a scenic route through the woods.
“This course proves to be a lot of fun during the cross country season,” Muni said. “I think it promises to be just as exciting for the upcoming Color-A-Thon.”
Baldino is joined on the event organizing committee by Natalie Biello, PTO president, Michele Stillwell, PTSA co-president, Kristen Saker, PTSA co-president, Jody Dona, PTSA recording secretary, Lisa Timberlake, PTSA member, and Kelly Campbell, who is a member of the PTO and the PTSA.
Proceeds from the event will benefit pupils in all grades in Millstone Township’s schools, according to Baldino.
Baldino said there will be a 2.5-mile course and a shorter course for younger runners or families that include tots.
Event sponsors so far include Kristen Saker and her husband, Tom, of Saker ShopRites; Dr. Michael Baldino of Baldino Dental Arts; Alexander’s Beverage Company; and Cobra Power Systems.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Kristen Saker at [email protected]
Baldino said everyone is welcome to join the race and may register by logging onto http://shop.schoolathon.org/EventIndex. asp?EID=181331. The school ID is 120118 to log on.