High school students host charity run High school students host charity run (April 09, 2004)

Beneficiary is youth homeless shelter

By Dan Stapleton

It may be sunny and 70 degrees out, but for some Mountain View High School students, the season of giving isn't over yet.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 10, Mountain View will host a five-kilometer race/walk with prizes for the top three finishers, followed by performances by student bands and dance groups and lunch. The admission fee for the race/walk is $10 for MVHS students, $15 general.

The event is being held to raise money for Casa SAY, a short-term group home and shelter run by the Social Advocates for Youth for homeless and runaway children ages 11 to 17.

Casa SAY's main goal is family preservation and reunification. Children stay at the group home at 509 View St. for 30 days before returning home. They are given the opportunity to take some time away from their families and then receive six weeks of family counseling aimed at keeping the family together. The home serves an estimated 85 to 125 children per year.

"Some students at Mountain View High School decided they wanted to do a project and they chose Casa SAY for a fundraiser for them," said Casa SAY director Andre Burnett. "It's really admirable that young people decided to help their peers."

"We wanted to do something on campus that includes the community," said Samantha Kirby, a Mountain View student who helped organized the event. "We contacted city hall and asked for suggestions because we wanted to contribute to a worthy cause instead of creating one. They told us that Casa SAY needed money for renovation, and we thought that would be a good cause because it relates to teenagers.

Kirby hopes the event will attract 100 runners and raise between $1,000 and $1,500 for Casa SAY. The event is funded by a grant from Chuck and Tori Atwell.

Casa SAY is hosting its own fundraiser, the eighth annual Rivers of Chocolate Festival on April 18 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. For more information, call (408) 956-8034 ext. 100.

Email Dan Stapleton at dstapleton@mv-voice.com

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