Bill Muston, parent of a J.L. Long seventh-grader, was active with his son’s elementary school. But Muston says he never imagined how much harder it would be to raise money for a middle school.
“There’s a problem with middle schools being only two years,” he says. “Before you know it, it’s over and done with.” Which makes it more difficult, he says, to raise money. Once parents have the fund-raising figured out, it’s time for their children to move on to Woodrow.
That’s why events such as the Long 5K and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk are important. Between registration fees and money earned through a raffle, the school’s PTA raised about $10,000 last year.
“It’s been used for teacher appreciation, cultural arts programs, ROTC uniforms, sports banquets, equipment for our math and choral departments,” says Muston, this year’s race organizer. “Just various enhancements an inner-city school can benefit from.”
This is the race’s eighth year, and it has grown tremendously. These days, more than 300 participants typically register. The course, which winds through the Hollywood/Santa Monica neighborhood, is certified by USA Track and Field, meaning those involved include running enthusiasts as well as neighborhood people who just want to come out and support the school.
One of the race’s biggest supporters is the Hollywood Heights/Santa Monica Homeowners Association, which not only donates $2,500 to the run in exchange for being named a title sponsor, but also donates additional money throughout the year. In fact, over the last five years, the neighborhood’s home tour has contributed more than $20,000 to the Long Run and the Long PTA, says board member Sharon Wright.
“It seemed like a natural,” she adds of the decision to contribute to the school. “So many of their needs were not being met by DISD. We felt like we could help in some small way. We believe it’s important to support Long because they are a large part of our neighborhood, and we see the rewards of doing so in every aspect of the school’s programs.”
