FLORENCE — Reading and running take center stage in Florence this Sunday when The Literacy Project hosts its second Read, Write, Run road race, a key fundraiser for the nonprofit that provides free classes to adults in basic skills, high school equivalency, and college and career readiness.
The event includes a 5K road race and a 2K fun walk, with the walk starting at 11 a.m. and the run starting a half-hour later at 11:30. Both events will start at Maines Field in Florence, with runners wrapping around Bay State Village and walkers making a loop around the Sojourner Truth Memorial. Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra will shoot off an air gun to start the race.
The Literacy Project is “restarting” the race after having to cancel it for the last two years because of the pandemic, Executive Director Judith Roberts said.
The registration fee is $30 for runners and $20 for walkers, while students at The Literacy Project and children under 12 can participate for free.
“We’re excited that the community is going to participate, and we also have some students from the local high schools and the private high schools running in the race so that will be fun,” Roberts said.
In addition to building community spirit, Roberts hopes the race will bring attention to The Literacy Project’s work and raise money to support its programs.
The Literacy Project is a free adult educational program that prepares students to take and pass the high school equivalency test, formally known as the GED. “We see the high school equivalency diploma as a stepping stone,” Roberts said.
She said the organization will use money raised this year to buy and distribute laptops to participants. This will make it easier for students to join classes online, do homework and have a computer in the home, Roberts said.
Since classes at The Literacy Project are free, funding and community awareness on what organization does is important, Roberts says. “Half of the students are working and going to school so we make our schedule fit theirs,” she said.
Greenfield Savings Bank and Renaissance Builders are the event’s two biggest sponsors and are helping to contribute to The Literacy Project’s mission.
Interested participants can preregister at runreg.com or www.literacyproject.org and receive a free event T-shirt. There will also be a chance to register at the event at 10 a.m.