Published: 5/16/2018 10:59:28 PM
NORTHAMPTON — Whole Children will sponsor its fourth annual Wild Goose Chase 5k and kids’ carnival Sunday at Look Park, with all proceeds supporting the organization’s programming.
“It’s very important,” said Valle Dwight, a parent and the director of communications for Pathlight, Whole Children’s parent organization.
Dwight estimated that the event brings in a third of Whole Children’s fundraising income each year.
The event is set to run from 10 a.m to 1:30 p.m., with the race beginning and ending at Look Park. Music will be provided by The Expandable Brass Band at the start of the race, which will begin at 10 a.m.
In addition to the 5k there will be a 1.2-mile fun run, as well as races on the field for children where everyone will receive a medal.
Dwight said 400 people participated in the race and the fun run last year.
The carnival will feature such activities as horse-drawn wagon rides, hula hooping, yo-yoing and face painting and Whole Children’s Joyful Chorus and Friendship Band will perform.
Food trucks will also be onsite.
Whole Children offers more than 90 classes a year, serving close to 800 families. Its programs, which include everything from theater to music, sports, yoga and social skills, take the form of after-school, vacation and weekend programs, with a particular focus on special needs children.
Dwight said that Whole Children keeps its prices low, saying it charges children six times less than what would be needed to cover the cost of a class, an estimate she said was conservative.
“We have a huge gap that we have to cover,” said Dwight.
Another reason behind the cost of the organization’s classes, Dwight said, is that Whole Children seeks to make them accessible to anyone who wants to come in, which means smaller class sizes.
“Our goal is to make it work for everyone,” Dwight said.
To register for the race, visit www.wholechildren.org, or call 413-585-8010. Registration on the day of the race will start at 9 a.m.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.