Footrace part of city’s spirit

<p>How can I describe that quality that makes Petaluma a special place? Perhaps generosity of spirit best expresses what I want to say. When I first arrived in Petaluma, I did not have to look far to find this generous spirit. </p><p>Consider these examples from my favorite non-profits. This past year, through the openhandedness of our community, the Petaluma Educa-tion Foundation reached the $1 million mark in donations to our schools. Likewise, to support the Committee on the Shelterless, each year more than 400 Petalumans attend a charity breakfast and are moved to donate by stories about overcoming adversity. In addition, the Petaluma Kitchen, a COTS affiliate, receives more donations of turkeys at Thanksgiving than Santa Rosa, a city three times our size. </p><p>This spring my other favorite non-profit, PEF, plans to award more than $135,000 in grants to our schools. Likewise, the Old Adobe Union School District has been the beneficiary of this curiously Petaluma quality, a quality not found in any of the seven other Northern California communities in which I have resided. This is the story of how OAUSD has been enriched by the dedication and generosity of Petaluma’s special people. </p><p>A few years ago, while state legislators and our governor saw fit to slash funding for education, two seniors at Casa Grande, Chris Mason and Ian Inman, quietly proposed a senior project. They wanted to help their alma mater, the Old Adobe Union Schools. Under the leadership of coach and teacher Carl Triola, they organized a footrace to support the music program. In just a few months, they had secured the support of our foundation Enrich and Educate (E2), created a Web site, www.petalumafoot race.com, solicited runners from around the Bay Area, obtained the appropriate permits from the city, and organized the first-ever footrace. Their goal was to help to maintain music programs for our schools, a program that they had enjoyed and benefited from. These young men also solicited the help of other runners from Casa Grande to staff the race. Those who ran were encouraged at each step of the way by friendly high school students. I know because I walked and was one of the last to cross the finish line; I still felt like a hero. </p><p>Now, two years later, Mason and Inman are back organizing the third annual Petaluma Foot Race, which will begin at 10 a.m. on March 24. The race begins at the marina next to the Sheraton and will wind its way through Shollenberger Park. The runners and walkers will finish the race and enjoy tunes from the Casa Grande jazz band and a huge raffle with many wonderful prizes and snacks donated by local businesses. In addition E2 is inviting Petalumans to stop by after 11 a.m. for a picnic sponsored by Jerome’s Bar-B-Que. </p><p>Mason and Inman have moved on to college, and yet they continue to return to organize our third annual Petaluma Footrace. So far, through their hard work each year, Mason and Inman have raised enough to fund approximately one-third of our after-school band program. They have become pros at organizing and we love showing up and being told what to do. </p><p>Finally, we commend the staff at Casa Grande for persisting in requiring a senior project. Not only did the project help the Old Adobe Schools out in a time of need, it also contributes to that special Petaluma quality — a generosity of spirit. </p><p>Visit www.petalumafoot race.com to sign up for the race, or simply stop by for some fine home cooking from Jerome’s Bar-B-Que. </p><p>(Diane Zimmerman is the superintendent of the Old Adobe Union School District.)</p>