Sussex Christian 5K raises $4,000 for Inclusion Program

WANTAGE — The Sussex Christian School hosted a 5K run/walk Saturday, June 28, at Woodbourne Park to provide funding for its brand-new inclusion program.

The event was coordinated by parent-volunteer Kristine Noonan of Wantage, who serves on the school’s Education and Capital Fundraising Committees.

“The 5K is to help fund our Inclusion Program, which is specifically implemented to help children with special needs,” Noonan said. “It’s called the All One Run 5K, meaning we are all one and accepted in God’s eyes. Recently, the Sussex Christian School partnered with the Christian Learning Center Network to get the program going. We don’t get money from the state to fund the program, so that’s why we host the 5K every summer and a community dinner at the school in September.”

The Inclusion Program has guided the education of two students under the direction of Special Needs teacher Edith MacMillan: Corey VanderGroef, 9, who first enrolled two years ago, and Charlote Krumpfer, 10, who enrolled for the first time this past year.

Noonan’s two children Andrew, 8, and Mollie, 11, who both ran the 5K, are students at the Sussex Christian School. Noonan herself started running 5Ks and has since participated in three marathons.

“My goal was to get 100 people to come out for the race, and we had almost 130,” she said.

About 25 Sussex Christian students ran the race.

First-place winner with a time of 18:52 was Stefan Albinsson, 42, of Sandyston, although originally from Sweden. Albinsson, who has been running for the Sketchers Performance Team for two years, keeps a blog about his sport called The Running Swede. Of the Woodbourne race, Albinsson said in his blog, “It was a really hot and humid morning. Woodbourne Park offers a really challenging course, rolling hills and sharp turns on small paths.”

The second-place winner was Allison Decker, 19, of Milford, Pa., with a time of 19:35. A Division I athlete enrolled at East Stroudsburg University, Decker — an exercise major — said she ran for Delaware Valley High School in her hometown and now runs cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

The overall male and female winners each received a trophy and $25 gift certificate to Quick Chek.

"We're looking to expand and grow the Inclusion Program," Sussex Christian Board of Education Treasurer John Amels said. "We’re looking to expand and grow the Inclusion Program. There’s a need in Sussex County to provide special needs students with a Christian education.”

Amels said there is a lot of interest in the program.

“Any incoming student goes through an evaluation process that allows us to identify what his or her special needs are," Amels said. "Afterward, we tailor a program for that child.”

The school’s principal of ten years Trish King also participated in the run/walk. The event raised about $4,000 to benefit the students in the Inclusion Program.