Central Runners Meet New Friends at Cedar Lake Village

April 24, 2012 ~ New shoes may be the basis for a new friendship between members of Central Elementary's Running Club and residents at Cedar Lake Village, a retirement community in Olathe.

More than 70 Cedar Lake Village residents hit the treadmills and walking paths to log more than 870 miles this spring. Wellness Director Denise Hahn asked walkers to record their distances and a large Kansas map in the community's gym tracked their progress as they passed such towns as Lawrence, Topeka, Russell and Hays. Each town meant a new pair of shoes for the young runners. By the time the residents had completed their trek, there were 30 new pairs of shoes purchased with a grant from Garmin and contributions from some residents.

"Residents were walking all over the place and doing something for someone else," Hahn said. "The residents were ready to walk to the coast just to keep it up. We're walking and wearing our tennis shoes, so that's what we gave to the students."

Running Club sponsor Candace Crawford said about 20 of her athletes received new shoes and the rest were given to school nurse Dora Delantonas to be distributed as needed to younger students.

The two generations met recently at Cedar Lake Village for a party and to walk around the community's pond.

"The students at my table seemed to be very comfortable and initiated conversations with the residents," Jan Wessels, Title 1 reading specialist at Central, said. "The residents were interested in the kids and were very friendly."

Hahn was also pleased with the event as she heard positive feedback from the residents. They all seemed to have a good time.

Central’s Running Club members and Cedar Lake Village walkers teamed up to answer questions on a quiz.
A fresh fruit snack awaited the young runners after they played a few games with residents at Cedar Lake Village.
The community’s walking path winds around a pond and was the perfect place to wrap up the students’ visit to Cedar Lake Village. Photos by Marlene Colgan