CEF’s Ghosts & Goblins Is a Spooktacular Tradition
September 2019
There’s much to BOO, I mean do, in Carmel and surrounding areas for the month of October, including the 11th Annual Ghosts & Goblins 5K/2K Walk and Run benefiting the Carmel Education Foundation (CEF). CEF’s mission is to support Carmel Clay students in academic achievement and lifelong learning and is directed by two remarkable and dedicated women, Stephanie McDonald and Barbara Danquist.
For the last decade, the Carmel Education Foundation (CEF) has been hosting the annual Ghosts & Goblins family-friendly and healthy event as a fundraiser to benefit Carmel Clay Schools through education grants. For those who may not be aware, CEF has been supporting CCS students and teachers since 1966. CEF has awarded over $2 million in college scholarships to CHS seniors and over $525,000 in education grants. CEF remains dedicated to its founding purpose to award educational grants by fundraising to fund the grants. Classroom grants are awarded up to $700 per teacher, $1,500 per teacher group and up to $2,000 per school.
CEF awarded $30,000 to 130 CCS teachers in the 2018–2019 school year. Some of the incredible grants that have been awarded by CEF to CCS teachers include Historical Thinking Matters, a Carmel High School program; Scholastic Magazine Choices, a Carmel Middle School program; Elite Gaming Live and Hands on Science, both Clay Middle School programs, and a myriad of impressive classroom grants that have been awarded to numerous teachers in all of the district’s elementary schools.
Stephanie McDonald, co-director at CEF, added, “Each grant has provided innovative teaching and enrichment activities in the classrooms throughout the school district.”
Another remarkable giveback from CEF is its scholarships, including the Lisa Evans Scholarship, available for eligible CHS seniors who either enter the 5K or 2K or volunteer at the event. The $500 scholarship was named in honor of past CEF president Lisa Evans.
The health of the CCS district plays a direct role in the overall strength of the Carmel community as a whole. Strong schools help build strong communities. The city of Carmel was recently named “The best place to raise a child in America” by Safewise.com.
In recognition of the role that the city’s school system has in attracting and retaining businesses to Carmel and the importance of the entire community’s support of events and organizations that support CCS, Mayor Jim Brainard stated, “One of the reason’s Carmel is often honored as a best place to live and raise a family is due to the strong schools in our community. It is important that we continue to support those organizations that enhance our school system and help provide students and teachers with the resources they need to excel.”
Join your fellow residents in supporting CEF, which in turn supports CCS, by registering for this year’s 11th Annual Ghosts & Goblins 5K/2K Walk and Run, held on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Last year’s walk/run brought out 2,400 participants and 200 volunteers.
Prizes will be awarded for best adult, best teacher, youth (9 years and under as well as 10–18 years) and ensemble costumes. A special Ghost & Goblins trophy is awarded to the CCS elementary school with the most participants. That elementary school also receives a “Ghosts & Goblins” banner for the school to permanently display. The middle school with the most participants will be awarded a Ghosts & Goblins banner to display as well.
Costumes that are run/walk-friendly are encouraged, but masks are not permitted at the event. Please leave your pets at home as they are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.
Carmel Monthly is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s walk/run along with Church, Church Hittle + Antrim, Citizens State Bank, Office Evolution-Carmel and Current in Carmel.
To register and for a complete list of event details and start times, visit ccs.k12.in.us/foundation/ghosts-goblins.
Writer:
Janelle Morrison
Photography:
Courtesy of CEF