The Greater Collegedale School System, comprised of AW Spalding Elementary, Collegedale Adventist Middle School and Collegedale Academy, is pulling the community together and honoring a beloved teacher.
GCSS is hosting the second annual Sandy Erickson Race for Christian Education on Nov. 3. The 5K race is open to all students, parents, runners, and other community members. All proceeds will benefit the school system’s worthy student fund. Race registration and donation information is available on the race website www.sandyericksonfunrun.com.
The race is named after Sandy Erickson a beloved first grade teacher who taught for over 20 years at A.W. Spalding Elementary School. Officials said Mrs. Erickson cared deeply for her students, often working one-on-one to ensure the success of the individual. She took joy in mentoring new teachers, nurturing college student volunteers, and encouraging parents. When diagnosed in 2008 with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Mrs. Erickson maintained her cheery attitude and sense of humor, exemplifying Christ’s selflessness. For many years the decorative theme of her classroom was hot air balloons. Students in the middle school and academy were impacted by her kindness. The last class she taught was challenged (last year when they were in 5th grade) to design a logo for this race in her honor. The race logo was picked from that group.
Sandy’s husband, Richard Erickson, is a professor in the School of Business at Southern Adventist University. He and other family members from across the country will be attending the race. The Erickson family is honored that the race is in Sandy’s honor. “While she would hesitate being the center of attention, she would have loved this event to help students and the community to come together in support of the Worthy Student Fund,” says Mr. Erickson.
“With gratitude, the CGSS Home and School Association dedicate the Fun Run to Mrs. Erickson,” says Nora Moody, race coordinator.
"Last year, our first race, we raised over $47,000 which benefited Christian education in our community. We had over 500 student and community runners participate in the event. One hundred and twenty of those students were our 4-8 year olds running in the 1K fun run. Family and community running together for a cause……it was a wonderful day."
The race will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3. The 1:30 p.m. Kids Fun Run (1) is for pre K - 2nd grade. The 2 p.m. 5K race (3.2miles) is for grades 2-12 and adults. It will be held at Collegedale Adventist Middle School, 4856 College Dr. East. Parking will be available at Collegedale Academy and Collegedale Church.
To Run/Walk, register by going to the official race website – www.sandyericksonfunrun.com. There is a link to register (which leads to the registration website – www. active.com). There participants can register and pay the $20 race fee. The race can only accommodate 600 runners, including students.
To donate, go to the official race website www.sandyericksonfunrun.com and click on the donate link. Or sponsor a runner from one of the GCSS schools. Student information will be available in early October.
For students in the GCCS, a packet will be sent home to obtain sponsors for the race fees, $20 minimum is required to race. Packets are slated to be sent home in early October.