Run for The West End School

Normally at 7pm on a weekday night, I would be hanging out on my front porch, drinking a glass of wine and watching my two year old son run around with the neighborhood children. There is usually a group of about five or six of them throwing water balloons or selling lemonade out of their homemade stand. Tonight however, thanks to my gracious neighbor who is in tip top shape, I am considering running in my first ever 5k. Crazy I know, considering the heat index is going to be hitting the upper 90’s at the kickoff to the race, but I can’t resist helping a noble cause.   

 The St. Matthews Mid-Summer’s Night 5K Run/Walk is going on it’s 3rd year, and supports Louisville’s West End School. The run starts in the parking lot of Bethel St. Paul Church, located at 4004 Shelbyville Road, in the heart of St. Matthews. Once the race is over, there will be a cookout on the outside patio of Saints Pizza and Pub located at 131 Breckenridge Lane. Awards will be given out for the races’ top male and female finishers in seven age categories as well as the top three overall finishers. The age categories are as listed below:

14 and under
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60 and over 

Day-of race registration is $40 and includes a tee-shirt and admission to the cookout.  

The West End School is a free, private college preparatory middle school that opens it’s doors to young men that would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to such a prestigious school. All prospective students must have been on free or reduced lunches, be capable of doing academic work at or above grade level, and be able to benefit from the school’s environment. The students live at the school year round during the week, and all room and board, tuition, and daily expenses are free, paid for by donations. The West End School opened it’s doors in 2005, when it’s founders recognized a growing need for alternative forms of education for Louisville’s at risk youth, particularly troubled teen boys. The West End School is expanding, unveiling it’s new Elementary School this year. For more information on both schools, or on how you can help, visit their website, www.westendschool.org.

 The West End School is an inspiring place doing magnificent things and it often goes unnoticed, existing in Louisville and is rarely talked about. The St. Matthews Mid Summer’s Night 5K Run/Walk is an excellent way to spread the word about the school, but I’m surprised there is not more buzz about it. There are many charities that do great work in Louisville but fall by the wayside. My suggestion is, if you find a charity, or a school in my case that you feel is doing excellent work, tell everyone you know about it, bring it up in most conversations, and become that charity or school’s advocate. Through my research on the West End School, I am going to learn more and see what I can do to help. I would love to hear what charities or other worthy causes you think I need to be helping too. 

Ilyse's Louisville