When Special Olympics New Hampshire approached us in 2013 showing interest in the development of a major fundraiser on the Northern Rail Trail, the Town of Andover offered its support, and Proctor Academy jumped on board immediately. The Andover Fire Department, the Andover Service Club, the Andover Lions Club, the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail, and many Andover residents and organizations joined to make the event a huge success, raising over $13,000 to help children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Based on that success, SONH has decided to hold this event in Andover as an annual event with goals to increase its outreach, thereby creating more awareness for our beautiful town of Andover, its community-minded people, and the versatile Northern Rail Trail.
On Saturday, September 26, the Town of Andover and Proctor Academy will host the second annual Rail Trail Rally along the Northern Rail Trail to benefit SONH. The family-friendly event will include 5K and 10K runs, 15- and 30-mile rides, a 1-mile unified run, a family walk/ride, and a festival including food, fun, and more!
Last year, this event attracted tremendous participation from Andover, Proctor Academy, and nearby communities, as more than 150 runners and riders gathered at Proctor’s Carr Field to embark on their 5K and 10K runs or 50K bike ride on the Northern Rail Trail.
Proctor Academy readily provided 277 volunteers (students, faculty, and staff) to support last year’s first Rail Trail Rally. Starting at 7 AM, students, faculty, and staff gathered on Carr Field to set up for the event, help with race management, man water stations and food tents, provide entertainment, and clean up after the day’s festivities.
Proctor’s kitchen was available to prepare and store food; the school’s maintenance staff helped prepare the event site, and student involvement was central to the event.
Proctor Academy’s administration, staff, and students continue to serve as a catalyst for community involvement in the Town of Andover through sharing its campus, facilities, and energy with the town. This event provides an awesome opportunity for Proctor’s students to experience the value of service within a greater community.
Marjorie Roy, Andover Town Administrator, is on board again this year with the organizing committee and will manage food services for the event, and Mindy Cote is responsible for registration.
This year, the event’s hamburger and hot dog station will be sponsored by BJ’s in Tilton. Hot dog and hamburger chefs Mike Tucker, general manager of the Tilton BJ’s store; Alan Powell, owner of Onions Pub and Restaurant in Tilton; and Pecco Beaufays, owner of Highland Lake Inn in Andover, will serve up some tasty meat-filled buns. The food will be offered for free; donations to SONH will be accepted.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Organization provides the major source of financial support for Special Olympics in 39 countries around the globe as well as for the SONH Rail Trail Rally event. Bobby Cormier, Chief of Police in Tilton, will be working with his colleagues from Andover during the event to keep us all safe.
To learn more about how you can register for this year’s event, visit AndoverBeacon.com/SONH-2015.