The first-ever Light Up The Night For Noelle Run: Chatham Edition was a big success.
"Chatham-Kent really stepped up. We had about 230 participants in the first annual race, and we've raised over $18,000," said race director Bryan Cowden.
Organizers say that amount has since exceeded $19,000.
All the money raised goes to the programs run by Noelle's Gift to Children, which was established in memory of Noelle Paquette. She was a passionate educator in Sarnia who went above and beyond for her students.
"A closet in every school that has toiletries, or hats and mitts for the winter. It could be the nutrition program where there's healthy food in every classroom. Or money for principals to designate how they please based on the families," said Cowden.
Participants either ran or walked five kilometres on Mud Creek Trail in Chatham on Friday, April 25, and there was a one kilometre kids run.
The top three team fundraisers were Indian Creek Road Public School with $3,540, Tecumseh Public School raised $2,599, and Winston Churchill Public School came in third with $2,275.
The annual run in Sarnia will take place on Saturday, September 27.