No. 16 Vol. 5
www.mypaperonline.com
May 2018
Madison 5K Supports Grants To Teachers And Staff
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By Lisa McNamara he weather didn’t dampen the spirits for the participants of the 15th annual Madison 5K on May 6 at Madison High School. The 5K raised more than $40,000 for the Madison Education Foundation (MEF), which awards enrichment grants to teachers and staff members in all five Madison schools. More than 500 registered for the event, which included a 5K run/walk and a kids fun run. Daniel Clavijo crossed the finish line first for the men in the 5K, and Jeremy Gann came in second with Rip Harris finishing third. Katie Siano captured first place for the women, followed by Megan Strobridge and then Julie Snyder. When established in 2003, the MEF provided funding to the high school, but in 2010, the foundation expanded to support all K-12 schools. Since its inception, the MEF has awarded close to $1.3 million in grants, according to Claire Sievers, MEF co-president. “We’re really proud of everything we can do district-wide,” adds Sievers. The MEF raises funds mostly through their two big fundraisers, the Madison 5K and the Fall Adult Social, which will take place at the Westin Inn in Morristown on November 2. “In addition to being fundraisers, we
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Grace Voorhees, Emma Voorhees, Bernadette Traina at the Madison 5K.
really love these events because they’ve turned into real community events where the people from Madison all come together,” says Sievers. The foundation also sends out a letter to residents in the fall seeking donations. To apply for a grant, teachers can visit the MEF’s website to complete and submit a form to the grant committee for approval. “We’re all about teachers thinking outside the box, and it’s important for us to give them the latitude to do that,” says Lisa Moro, MEF member. Grants are awarded in three grant cycles per year- fall, winter and spring, and the MEF awarded more than $130,000 to teachers this past fall and winter. ConnectOneBank and Morristown Medical Center sponsored the event along with many local businesses and organizations. This year THE MAX Challenge of Madison joined in on the action by offering up its
studio as the headquarters for the race; participants were able to pick up their racing packets at the MAX prior to the event. “THE MAX really helped us race day,” says Sievers. “We’re big supporters of giving back to education,” says Greg Kleiman, one of the owners of THE MAX. Kleiman and Toby Bavli, another owner and former educator, opened the fitness studio on Main Street in Madison because of its “community feel, especially the downtown,” he explains. “I love what I’m doing, and I love helping the people in Madison change their lives for the better,” adds Kleiman, and he “hopes to make Madison a happier, healthier place.” “Fundraising is critical to the success of the MEF, and we want to keep saying yes to teachers who apply for grants,” says Sievers. To help the MEF continue to say yes, visit its website at www.mefnj.org.