Welcome to our second fund-raising year of promoting health and fitness to our children — while raising funds that directly impact their education.

All of our kids are very excited to get out and walk and run. Not only are they helping Gill Elementary, but more importantly, they’re enjoying exercise and learning that exercise keeps them healthy.  We saw many kids over the summer on Wednesday nights earning toe tokens while exercising with smiles on their faces. A lot more kids earned miles on their own during their summer break too.

Please contribute to your child(ren) success at school and in their health. You can make a direct donation or a pledge per mile that they log. Simply click on the “donate” button the right side of this page.

Thank you for supporting the children in your life!

What is the Gill Elementary Mustang Mini-Marathon? It is a fitness fundraiser designed by the Gill PTA to promote health and fitness among our children, while raising funds that directly impact their education.

What makes it a “mini” marathon? Our official kick-off for the marathon was in June. Children were sent home with a pledge form and mileage tracking sheet to keep track of pledges and miles they’ve completed up to 25 miles. Then, on Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 3-5 pm, all registered participants will finish the marathon distance as they complete the last 1.2 miles together as a group, crossing the official MMM finish line at the Power Middle School track. As they cross the “finish” they will all receive their MMM Finishers Medal and celebrate with their peers!

What if I haven’t started logging miles or collecting pledges yet? You can start today! First, set a goal. Tell everyone what you are doing and what you are trying to achieve. Then you can start collecting pledges and logging miles.

What is a “Mustang Sponsor”? This is a friend or family member who is willing to support your child by making a monetary donation to sponsor their participation in the Mustang Mini-Marathon. Sponsor donations do not have to correspond to the number of miles covered by the child.

What if my child is not planning to participate in the fitness aspect of this event? While we encourage every student to participate in all aspects of the event, we understand that some may not. If that is the case, parents, friends and family are encouraged to support their child’s education by making a direct donation to the Gill PTA.

How do I get started? In this packet you will find a pledge form, a mileage tracking sheet to log your miles,a nd other valuable information about this fundraiser.

What is the Mileage Tracking Sheet? Your child has had the opportunity to begin logging miles during recess at school. They may also log miles at home. The fitness portion of the MMM is on the honor system, but we encourage your child to keep track of the miles they have logged using the Mileage Tracking Sheet. Show the form to prospective Mustang Sponsors to help with your fundraising efforts!

Where do Mustang Sponsor Dollars go? Because the MMM is run solely by Gill PTA volunteers, and because our PTA is a non-profit organization, every dollar raised goes directly to Gill PTA programs that directly impact your child’s education.  Fundraising allows us to sponsor the following activities for Gill students (estimated expenses for 2009/10):  Reading Programs and Library ($3,000), Teacher Grants ($7,000), Assemblies ($3,000), School Improvements ($2,000), Field Trip Transportation ($3,900), Enrichment Programs ($1,500), Science Night ($1,000), and Recognition Events ($3,000).

Is my donation tax deductible? Yes! 100%.

 Mark your calendars and come join us to celebrate our kids’ great accomplishments! 

 TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE AT THE EVENT, PLEASE BE SURE TO ARRIVE EARLY.

THE ENTRANCE TO GILL AND POWER WILL BE BLOCKED PROMPTLY AT 3.

BOTH LOTS WILL BE BLOCKED UNTIL ALL RUNNERS HAVE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE.

THANk YOU!

The event starts at 3:00.*     

When you arrive you need to:

1. Find the STUDENT CHECK-IN/REGISTRATION tables  (on the grassy island between Power parking lot and Power Track).

2. Check in OR register to get your BIB NUMBER and a MAP. The bib number needs to be pinned to the front. All participants that are running/walking must have a bib number. The map will show the course you will be running.

3. All Runners/Walkers will be grouped by grade. Once you have checked in and have your bib number, you will find your “running buddy”. They will be holding a sign for your grade level. Please get in your group. You will need to be in that group when the event begins.

4. Follow Mr. Morawski and the other runners to the finish line. There will be friendly faces cheering you along the way.

5. After you have crossed the finish line, you will receive your finishers medal.

6. Head to the refreshment table for a drink and a snack. **

7. Finally, celebrate your victory!! Mr. Johnson, one of our fourth grade teachers, who is also an AMAZING DJ, will be there to get you moving to your favorite music, and the Farmington Hills Fire Department will be there to cool you off.

*Volunteers:  Volunteers should arrive no later than 2:30 unless instructed prior. Please go to student check in table when you arrive. There will a sign-in sheet there with instructions & map of where your station is.

**Snacks are for registered participants only.

 The 1.2 Fun Run/Walk will be led by our own Mr.
Morawski  — in front of Power Middle School, and will finish on Power Track!

If your child is not yet registered, you can either download a registration form
(found on this site. click on registration packet) or register at the event on October 10. 

PLEASE NOTE:  IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO TURN IN PLEDGES OR MAKE DIRECT
DONATIONS FOR OUR MUSTANG MINI-MARATHON FALL FUNDRAISER! 

If you haven’t started logging miles or collecting pledges, it’s not too late. In fact, if you turn your pledges in before or even on October 10th you will still be eligible for incentive prizes.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE PLEDGES? CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?
Yes of course!  One of the main focuses of this fundraiser is encouraging health and fitness. So come, get fit, and have a good time with your friends from Gill!

We realize that not everyone will be able to contribute, but every little bit helps. The money we raise goes directly to benefit our children at Gill through Enrichment programs, field trip transportation, special assemblies, extra classroom supplies, literacy events, and much more. With your help, the PTA can still help provide quality education despite impending budget cuts. AND remember, your pledge or direct donation, is 100% tax deductible.  

THANK YOU!

It’s not too late to collect and turn in those pledges!  Just be sure they’re in on or before Saturday, October 10th, and your child will be eligible for all of our incentive prizes. 

What are the incentive prizes?*

• $10= Gill T-Shirt
• $25= Gill T-Shirt + Goodie Bag
• $50= Gill T-Shirt + Goodie Bag + Ice Cream Party
• 100 or more= Gill T-Shirt+ Goodie Bag+ Ice Cream Party + Putting Edge Party

Top earner will also receive a Toys R Us gift card

In order to receive your T-Shirt for the Marathon, at $10 in pledges must be turned in by October 5th. Late turn-ins will receive their shirts the week after the event. Additional pledges can be turned in up until the Finish Line Event. Pledges turned in after the event will not be eligible for incentive prizes and will be considered a direct donation.

*All incentive prizes other than t-shirts will be delivered during  the week after the event.

If your kids haven’t completed your miles, that’s O.K.  We trust that you will encourage them to finish what they started.  As long as they are registered for the Mustang Mini-Marathon, they are welcome to participate on October 10th.

 Thanks for your support and remember…the money we raise goes directly to benefit our children at Gill through Enrichment programs, field trip transportation, special assemblies, classroom supplies, literacy events, etc.  So you can feel great about supporting this fundraiser with your 100% tax deductible collected pledges and direct donations.  THANK YOU!

Our logo design by Cathy Rapp…