Texas Ave. students run to help CASA

Last Updated on Friday, January 04, 2013 06:38 pm Written by staff report Sunday, January 06, 2013 01:00 am

Karen DeRosa of CASA, second from left accepts a $1,000 check from Marg Mancuso of the Katz JCC, Texas Ave. Elementary School Principal, Julie Land and Atlantic City Marathon Race Series Director, Genia Chapman-Bitner along with the Texas Avenue students who participated in the Kids Fit race and raised the funds.

More than 40 students from the Texas Avenue Elementary School in Atlantic City participated in the Kids Fit Final Mile portion of the Atlantic City Marathon in Oct. 2012.

Through a commitment to get fit and run a one mile race, the students took on the greater challenge of raising money for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, headquartered in Somers Point.

 By connecting with parents, teachers and neighbors for their support in sponsoring their run, students were able to assist in raising over $1,000 for CASA, the organization that provides advocates to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system and is dedicated to ensuring these children are placed in safe permanent homes as quickly as possible.

“We commend the children of the Texas Avenue School for their participation in the Kids Final Mile and their commitment to health and fitness. We are honored to work in partnership with the JCC to grow the Kids Race and hope that more schools will join us next year,” says Karen DeRosa, CASA’s Director of Community Development.

Just before the holiday break students along with school leader, Julie Land and the Directors of the Atlantic City Marathon, Genia Chapman-Bittner and Marg Mancuso of the Katz JCC presented the check to DeRosa and were given their finisher certificates. Land said each student demonstrated tremendous pride in their achievement. They were excited not only to receive their certificates containing their names and finish times, but to be able to give back to other children in their community.

“It is wonderful to see young students in Atlantic City show care and concern for the well being of other children and to dedicate time to helping others”, says Steve Brog Esq., Chairman of the Atlantic City Marathon Committee, “We look forward to building relationships with schools in Atlantic County to further these fundraising efforts”.

Schools interested in participating in the 2013 Kids Fit Final Mile, please contact the Atlantic City Marathon Race Series at (609) 822-1167 Ext. 141 or visit www.acmarathon.org  for more information.