Seven years in, benefit 5K doing better than ever

PINE PLAINS — The local community isn’t forgetting about Paige George.

The 9-year-old who died in a car accident nearly a decade ago was the catalyst for a literacy foundation in Pine Plains. Since its founding in 2004, the organization has expanded to include a day care, tutoring center, preschool and annual high school scholarship.

Last Saturday, Sept. 25, the seventh annual Paige George Literacy Foundation 5K Race/Walk drew 130 participants of all ages. Some chose to run and some chose to walk, but all were gathered in Paige’s memory. “I think it’s branching out a lot more this year,� Paige’s mother, Tammy George, said after the event. “We did a lot more advertising. And Paige’s friends are getting older. It’s not so easy for them to get here anymore, so there was a need to expand.�

Ken McPherson, the father of several children in the Paige George program, won the 5K adult race, while Jacob Henderson, a member of the before-school program, finished first in the children’s race held just before the main event.

While attendance was down slightly from last year, donations were way up. George said the event will tally about $3,000 after expenses, thanks in large part to the 21 local business sponsors, the event’s highest number ever.

“That was great,� she said. “We weren’t expecting anywhere near as many donations, but it’s great to get them because everything seems to be going up, including insurance and permits.�

The money raised will benefit the general fund for the literacy foundation, which George said pays for items like supply books and new playground equipment. And there may even be some new programs in the pipeline.

“It all costs money to run,� George said, “but all of our programs are full right now, so that’s great.�

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