Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” At Carmichaels Area School District, staff members have organized the Mikes on the Move. Mikes on the Move is a wellness organization that meets the first Thursday of each month to complete a 5K at the elementary trail. Members of Mikes on the Move contribute $10 a piece monthly and they donate the funds raised to charity.
Each member can complete their 5K by walking or running, whichever is more comfortable for the participant. If a member of the organization is unable to meet with the group on the first Thursday of the month, they can complete their 5K on their own time.
Mikes on the Move have completed two 5Ks so far and have also donated to two charities: Courageous Steps and Christians for Camp Carmel. Madeline Loring explains about how the charities are chosen, “Each member selected a cause they are passionate about at the beginning of the year. We have 16 causes and one is randomly selected at the beginning of each month. In December, our proceeds will go towards Suicide Prevention.” Once everyone has submitted their $10 for the month, the charity is then picked at random from their group of selected charities.
Every year, the staff at Carmichaels Area School District has the chance to participate in a Wellness Day. The idea of Mikes on the Move came to life during a Wellness Day. Cassie Menhart, another member of the group, says, “Our administrators have been gracious enough to allow our staff to participate in a virtual 5K on this day. Since there was much success within the past two virtual 5Ks, Madeline and I felt that Mikes on the Move would be well received by our staff members. We collaborated together, established a name and the guidelines we felt would be most beneficial for the group and set everything into motion! We are thrilled with the response we have received so far!”
“We are a group of caring individuals who get together monthly to exercise and try to make a small difference in our community by donating to organizations that need community support,” adds Madeline.
Mikes on the Move currently has sixteen members and is hoping to expand. Any Carmichaels staff member who is interested in joining may reach out to Cassie Menhart or Madeline Loring.
