There’s no stopping the Norwood Walk-A-Thon

Andrew Foerch
Posted 5/15/14

Linda Peixinho has created an event that just won’t quit.

On Friday, the Norwood School parent-teacher association (PTA) held its sixth annual Walk-A-Thon, which was once again spearheaded by …

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There’s no stopping the Norwood Walk-A-Thon

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Linda Peixinho has created an event that just won’t quit.

On Friday, the Norwood School parent-teacher association (PTA) held its sixth annual Walk-A-Thon, which was once again spearheaded by Peixinho, a dedicated member of the PTA.

It was misting and wet, but that couldn’t stop the Walk-A-Thon. It just relocated from its usual venue, the Boys & Girls Club, to the asphalt parking lot behind the school.

Students from pre-k to sixth grade enthusiastically circled the vacant lot, which was transformed by volunteering parents into a makeshift track, complete with a station for refreshments for the participants. Pinned to the back of their shirts, students wore cards with numbers to be circled as they completed each corresponding lap. This unsurprisingly led to a bit of friendly competition between classmates, who were prompted to sprint around the track at full speed, determined to show off to their peers.

Peixinho credited the involvement of the parent and teacher volunteers for the success of the walk.

“If it wasn’t for them, it wouldn’t hit,” said Peixinho.

Next year, however, for the first time since its creation in 2009, the Walk-A-Thon will have a new supervisor, as Peixinho’s son Danny is graduating from Norwood School and is moving on to junior high.

Again, the walk won’t quit.

Peixinho will pass the proverbial torch to another devoted volunteer, Tina Bouthillier, who wants to play a larger role in giving back to her local community.

Bouthillier, who has been a part of the Norwood PTA for five years, said preparation typically begins two or three weeks before the actual event, when the PTA begins to accept monetary pledges from willing participants and their families. There are two ways to donate: entrants can either pledge one flat fee for the duration of the event, or they can make donations per completed lap.

Typically, 10 to 15 percent of the total proceeds are given to a local charity or organization. In some cases, however, this percentage is given to an individual or family in need. For example, in 2013, the funds went to the family of Robert McLaughlin. The father of a Norwood student, McLaughlin died last spring.

This year’s charity has not been decided yet, as that responsibility is dealt with at a monthly PTA meeting.

The remaining revenue is funneled back into the PTA. These funds are used to help purchase books and technology, as well as organize field trips and other fun activities for the students.

The annual Norwood School Walk-A-Thon is a great way for a small body of dedicated parents and volunteers to give back to their local community, typically raising between $2,000 and $3,000, according to Peixinho. Additionally, the students get to miss about 40 minutes of their classes, which is always a big hit.

Regardless of the change in management, the Walk-A-Thon will persevere as an integral means for the Norwood School to give back to its community.

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