A Thank You From the People Who Ran the Scharfman Run

To the editor:

Out of the shock and sadness from the untimely death of Belmont School Committee member Dan Scharfman in January came the energy and resolution to honor his memory in a way that reflected his passions and values. In a few short months, the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run, a 5K race sponsored and organized by the Foundation for Belmont Education, was born.

And thanks to the 700 runners from 30 cities and towns across New England who can to run on Sunday, Nov. 17, more than $20,000 was raised for the Dan Scharfman Education Innovation Fund.

Part of the Foundation for Belmont Education’s Innovative Teaching Initiative, this program enables Belmont’s educators to utilize new teaching techniques and leverage innovative technology to engage, motivate, and inspire students and better prepare them for higher education and the 21st century workplace.

In addition to the runners, nearly 100 volunteers put in more than 275 hours to make the race planning, preparation, and implementation seamless. Top of that list goes Race Directors Charlie Conroy and Paul Roberts, President of the Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) Jamie Shea, Vice Presidents of FBE Fundraising Carolyn Boyle and Heidi Sawyer and Race Volunteer Coordinator Karen Giorgio.

And thanks goes to Dan's daughter, Rachel, for her inspirational speech before the race remembering her father.

And you can't run a race with sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor: Subaru City Side

Silver Sponsor: Belmont Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry

Gold Sponsor: Belmont Savings Bank

Bronze Sponsors: Belmont Center Business Association, Body Trio, Craft Beer Cellar, Dental Restorative Group, Dunkin Donuts

Other Sponsors/In-Kind Donations: Atlas Ventures, Basil Tree Catering, Coldwell Banker, DJ Paul Madden, Hint Water, Iggy’s, League of Women Voters, Marathon Sports, Shaw’s, Stonyfield Yogurt, Tugg and Whole Foods.

The Foundation wants to thank Casey Grant and Brian Rogers, the Brendan Grant 5K organizers, for all of their support and guidance in organizing this event.

In addition, thank you to Fred Domenici, Belmont Public School's director of buildings and grounds, for his wonderful rendition of the National Anthem.

Lastly, the race would not have been possible without the help of the Belmont Police working the race course, the Highway Department for setting up the course, the numerous volunteers who staffed every aspect of the race, and the overwhelming support from the Town of Belmont.

Hannah E. Fischer, FBE