The potential for rain didn’t keep racers away from the Fourth Annual Rock Roll & Run and Community Fair hosted by the LAX Coastal Education Foundation (LAXCEF) in partnership with LMU on Saturday, March 2.
The event is the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, and brings together the whole community for a day of school spirit, friendly competition and health and wellness.
The morning kicked off at 8 a.m. with music by Sooper Awesome and a 5K around LMU. Musicians–including a jazz saxophonist, trumpeter and guitarist–were set up along the course to entertain and motivate runners, joggers and walkers as they raced along the campus.
As participants crossed the finish line, they made their way to the community fair featuring nearly 30 booths with giveaways, family-friendly activities, games and prizes. The Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary tent was a big hit, thanks to their free pancake breakfast and coffee cart.
The LAX Coastal Chamber’s Network for Change volunteer group led the 10 a.m. Kids’ 1K Fun Run at 10 a.m. with a record-breaking 473 students registered. A special appearance by the Laker Girls helped cheer on the K-12 runners, which was a fun addition to the festivities. As the kids made their way to the end of the 1K, they were greeted with a crepe paper finish line, motivational signs and their family and friends who were rooting them on.
“It was wonderful to see so many families and community members coming together to raise money to support our local schools,” said LAXCEF President Lory Sarlo. “This event would not be possible without the partnership of LMU, and the help of our foundation schools and their PTOs. It’s a great day for education when we can bring everyone together for a common goal and help fund crucial programs in our K-12 classrooms.”
The event brought in more than $115,000, with the net proceeds benefiting schools in the Westchester/Playa area and grants, which will be announced later this year.
Major sponsors of the Rock Roll & Run include Loyola Marymount University, the Drollinger Family Charitable Foundation, the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs, LAWA, Cedars-Sinai, Kumon Westchester, LAX Coastal Chamber, Stephanie Younger Group, SoCalGas and the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary. The Hometown News is also a proud sponsor.
Want to see more more event photos? Visit laxcoastaledfoundation.com.
Photos by Zsuzsi Steiner.