In Washoe County, elementary schools in the district have no funding for physical education.

So, about a dozen years ago the Education Alliance created the Kids In Motion program to raise the money.

Tuesday morning we gathered in the cafeteria with the students of Nancy Gomes Elementary as they received a big check – and they responded with BIG cheers.

You see, Gomes is small but mighty. 

And their school spirit pays off.

The school got $4,000 from Education Alliance Of Washoe County  - twice the amount most schools received for taking part in the annual Run For Education.

"That's because they brought the highest percentage of students from their school population,” explains Kendall Inskip, Executive Director for Education Alliance of Washoe County. “They have 400 or so students, so to bring a high percentage is saying a lot to really rally the students."

The force behind that rally - librarian Carin Charles and music teacher Elizabeth Cadigan. They coordinate Gomes’s participation in the annual fundraiser.

"When we come to Run for Education, we bring it!,” smiles Cadigan, “Our students show up and we have a great time. We love showing off our spirit with the headbands and the boom whackers - and everything that we have and it really becomes a great time."

Ms. Charles agrees. "It's important to me to see our children get out there with their families and run and get excited about running and be part of such a great community event."

And the kids look forward to it every year.

"It's really fun!” remembers 2nd grader Logan Sprock. “My favor part was running and the rock wall."

Schools that have at least 20 students participating in the annual Run for Education qualify for $2,000 in funding from the Education Alliance of Washoe County.

A few schools, like Gomes that go above and beyond, get double that.

Inskip loves the positive impact Education Alliance is able to have on the schools. "It's about the children and having an opportunity to have PE and sports and nutrition initiatives in their schools. Elementary schools don't have that. They don't have funding for it."

"Every bit makes a difference,” says Cadigan. “The $4,000 goes to the purchase of PE equipment which supports our PE program."

The next Run For Education will be October 21, 2018 ...at Scheels in Sparks. For more information, click below -

https://ed-alliance.org/our-impact/programs-initiatives/run-for-education/