Miles for SMILES 2018

Sunday, April 22, 2018, was an amazing day for the SMILES program staff, mentors, the children the program serves, and for all of the runners, walkers, sponsors, supporters, and friends who came to the Tenth Annual Miles for SMILES event held in the Fall River Industrial Park.

The sun was shining, the children were laughing, and everyone had a great time!

The event raised funding for the SMILES program, which provides school-based mentoring by pairing youth with a mentor from the community.

Local businesses, organizations, and supporters participated in this event by committing to sponsorships and creating running and walking teams. Mentors and community leaders also competed with each other by creating online fundraising teams. BayCoast Bank, for the tenth year in a row, was the event’s Title Sponsor, and the BayCoast team was awarded as Most Creative Team. Mechanics Cooperative Bank’s President & CEO Joseph Baptista demonstrated tenacious online fundraising and received the Top Fundraiser award. Also, the entire Mechanics Cooperative Bank team earned the Top Fundraising Team award.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III committed to a Community Level Sponsorship. Mission Level Sponsors included Bristol Pacific Homes, Eastern Benefits Group, The Lopes Companies, Martelly Construction Corp., MobilityWorks, RCM Modulaire, Route 6 Auto Mall Kia, Saint Anne’s Hospital, and Walsh Pharmacy.

The event kicked off with a fun-run for kids ages 12 and under. The top finishers in their age categories were awarded a medal, and they included Connor Cabral (5 years old and under); Lyric Murray (6-9 years old); and Mimi Karten (10-12 years old).

Immediately following the kids fun-run, the 5K started at 9:30 am with over 200 runners and walkers. The top three male finishers were Tom Steele (First Place overall at 17:59); Angel Rosado (Second Place overall at 18:50); and Jeremy Folger (Third Place overall at 19:22). The top three female finishers were Karla Steele (21:05); Megan Scheffer (22:00); and Nichole Heering (26:08).

Members of People Incorporated’s Board of Directors, Janice Carrigg and Janna Lafrance, were this year’s Miles for SMILES Co-Chairs and were a driving force for the event’s success.

It is because of YOUR support, help, and commitment that we are able to hold such a successful event year after year for the SouthCoast Mentoring Initiative for Learning, Education, and Service (SMILES).  We look forward to seeing all of you next year!

If you have any questions, please contact:
Catherine DeTerra, VP of Communications 774-627-2404 or cdeterra@peopleinc-fr.org