To the community,

Hundreds of students, parents, families and community members participated and thoroughly enjoyed the inaugural Run for the Gold 1K/2K/5K race, which provided the opportunity for first- to eighth-grade students to experience a professionally time chipped race on Sept. 26. The event was an enormous success and the Boys and Girls Club Western Slope will greatly benefit from the generosity of donors and sponsors.

Sponsors included Wells Fargo Bank, Jim & Maureen Carter, El Dorado Community Health Centers, Girard & Edwards, Palos Verdes Properties, Serrano Associates, American Recovery Services; PK Willis Company, Sam Smith, Tom & Andrea Howard, Cold Springs Dental, Carnahan Electric Ltd, James Whipple, Michael & Nannette Lubinski, Placer Title Company and Riebes Auto Parts.

Union Mine High School welcomed the event, while their facility and maintenance staff were instrumental to the event’s success. Garden Valley Fire Department provided medical and safety support. Sundance Stitch, Arnolds for Awards and Under the Sun Events went above and beyond our vendor requests. In addition, many participating parents and families gave generously to the cause.

Finally, we would like to thank the dozens of volunteers who donated their Saturday and brought this concept to life. This event would not have happened without your selfless support.

We look forward to making this race an annual community celebration.

Dina Gentry, El Dorado County Office of Education communications director