Rain can’t dampen spirits at annual HollyDELL 5K

A wet and stormy day did not stop nearly 500 people from participating in a morning race.

On the morning of September 13, HollyDELL School — a private, non-profit organization and school in Sewell that serve people with physical and medical challenges ages three through adulthood — hosted its Annual HollyDELL 5K Walk, Run, Wheel race at Washington Lake Park. The race itself is inclusive offering divisions for runners, walker and wheel league teams where people in wheelchairs and wheeled devices can also participate in the event.

There were 132 runners, 345 walkers and 18 student/adult program participant teams. Plus, there were plenty of proud supporters on the sidelines. Members of HollyDELL and local volunteers, including volunteers from local schools, helped make the day a success, despite the heavy rain and gloomy weather.

“It was a challenging start, but we were so pleased with how many families, volunteers and runners still showed up. It certainly wasn’t the turnout we’ve had in the past couple of years, because of the weather, but it really turned out to be a great day,” said Jennifer Latino, HollyDELL’s supervisor of special education, who initially was a speech therapist when they joined more than two decades ago.

This year, the race raised $38,944 for HollyDELL.

The money from the race will go towards improving the school and resources for its students. According to Coates, HollyDELL is currently working on building a pavilion structure outside for its middle and high school students. This will allow students to spend more time outdoors for classes and recreational time, while staying safe and less in the heat and sun. Additionally, HollyDELL has long-term plans of building an inclusive and adaptive playground for its elementary students.

Latino and Kristin Mcgettigan, who has been a physical therapist at HollyDELL for over two decades, both started the annual race more than a decade ago. They have seen it grow in popularity over the years, and it continues to bring out more positive support for the students during the event and year-round from its fundraising impacts.

“Two of the biggest things we have seen change and evolve — and it really has been such a positive experience — is that we have a lot of high school students who come out and volunteer with us, and they really really cheer on our students and their families and the runners,” HollyDELL Executive Director Jodi Coates said.

Coates said they have also an inclusive running group called Ainsley’s Angels, which allows students to participate in the running component of the race, along with other members who want to run on the team. Ainsley’s Angels is a national organization that hosts races and provides adaptive race equipment for people in need. Its South Jersey chapter is active with the HollyDELL race and others in the area.

“It’s been an amazing experience for the students to participate in,” she said.

“Part of our goal was to create an opportunity for our families and students to come together and celebrate the students and where (they) go to school,” Mcgettigan said. “We look forward to it every year.”