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Publication: The Oracle, SUNY College at New Paltz, New Paltz NY.
Photo by Jillian Nadiak.
From start to finish, participants donated not only their sweat and energy, but their contributions toward creating a literate world in Uganda.
More than 100 people attended New Paltz's first annual "Let's Get Literate" 5K run on Sunday, Oct. 16. The event, dedicated to alleviating the global issue of illiteracy, raised $3,000, nearly doubling the funding goal of $1,597.
The race took place at the corner of Plains Road and Pencil Hill Road, where Derek Lake crossed the finish line in 15 minutes and 10 seconds for first place overall out of 86 runners. Other notable finishers were Pete Schweddy, who finished first in the 19 years and under category, and James Sullivan for the 30 to 39 age group.
The event was formed by the Literate Earth Project , a nonprofit group that creates libraries in Uganda by empowering and employing local communities, offering support to sustain continued growth, and partnering with local entities and educators. To date, The Literate Earth Project has opened 10 school libraries in Uganda, with four more slated to open this year.