WARWICK, Rhode Island – Warwick Neck Elementary School will hold its fourth annual Color-A-Thon fundraising event on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 10 AM at the Bend Field Sports Complex.
The event celebrates fundraising by the students, families and PTA with an outdoor celebration incorporating environmentally safe color powder that participants throw and run through as they circle the course. A final “color blast” includes all participants throwing any remaining powder in a giant cloud of color as they dance to music on the field.
“This is arguably one of the most anticipated events of the year for our community” says Frank Galligan, Principal of Warwick Neck. “The kids, teachers, and families are always excited to cover each other in color, while raising money for ongoing initiatives at the school.” Galligan notes that hundreds are in attendance for the run, which includes school faculty, staff, local officials and dignitaries that come to show support - and to perhaps toss a little color on the kids.
Funds raised by students and the PTA are used to provide educational enrichment for the students throughout the year, from field trips to assemblies, and seasonal community events held at the school. Local businesses who sponsor the event are recognized on the event website leading up to the event and on banners on the day.
While the Winstead Marina, owned by a Warwick Neck alum, continues to be the largest event sponsor, other organizations from around the community, including Ahlborg Construction, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, Elite Auto Repair, Navigant Credit Union, New England Tire, Tri-City Elks Lodge, and Westbay Community Action, Inc, also support the school year after year.
Warwick Neck Elementary is a Feinstein leadership school and a 2022-2023 National PTA School of Excellence. PTA members, including teachers, parents and caregivers of the students volunteer, fundraise and coordinate the events that bring the school community together all year long.
“These events not only enrich our kid’s education, they also bring us together as a community,” said PTA member Tina Langill, mother of two current students. “There are so many parents who volunteer to help make these events possible, showing up for assemblies and coordinating teacher appreciation days in addition to these fundraising activities. None of that would be possible without the time and energy of the parent volunteers and the donations from local businesses. It’s beautiful to see everyone coming together to support our neighborhood school.”
[Picture above: Warwick Neck fourth grader, Sylvie Mendillo, smiles through the colored corn starch that was tossed onto students as they ran the Bend Field athletic track in 2024. Looking on is Warwick Neck school parent, Alicia Rodriguez.]
See the video below from former Warwick Neck parent, Mr. John Wright, father of Isaiah '24, who captured the fun and excitement of the Color Run a few years ago! (Viewing Note: If you are using a mobile device or tablet, you will want to turn it horizontally to better view the video. Thank you!)
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