Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools
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2021 Recap: 
​
Coupeville Run, Ride, and Reunite

2021 Recap:  Coupeville Run, Ride and Reunite

by James Steller, Foundation Board Member, Husband, and Father of a Coupeville Wolf (Junior)
As I sit down to put together my reflections of this years Run, Ride, and Reunite Fundraiser, I can not help but be tired and fulfilled.  The day ended with my closest friends and family, chilling out at Coupeville Town Park.  Kids playing together, adults reminiscing.  No one was looking at their phones, we were together for the first time in 2 years, and as I powered through the apple pie, it just felt nostalgic.  We saw dozens of kids and family gather to run 6 miles, a healthy group of about a dozen rode  11 miles, and we all reconvened for food.   The weather was great - not hot, not wet, fall sneaking up and the heavy marine fog trying to burn off.  All the details and planning came together and everyone seemed to have a good time.  AND fundraising - our community is wonderful and I am proud to say, we blew away the fundraising goal of $10,000 - surpassing $16,000 when all was said and done including the generous matching gift from Gordon and Christie Sears.  $16,000 will go towards  scholarships, grants for teachers, and equity for education.  It is really gratifying - even if it is a lot of work!

The words (Coupeville Run, Ride, and Reunite) are new - but this event marked the 5th time this fundraiser has been held.  Previously, this was called Circumnavigate Whidbey - and it consisted of a few hardy athletes attempting very hard feats of endurance on this beautiful island.  This year, as former athletes were not able to reassemble and nursing my own injuries - I put some deep thoughts into what brings me joy.  It is always the kids and the community.  I love the start line pics, I love seeing my family at aid stations, I love the views, and then the friends who get together afterwards to hang out.  So to be a bit selfish, why not more of that?  So we cut down the distances to attract more folks to participate and threw in the barbeque to bring back the nostalgia of community gatherings that I remember growing up.  

In this 5th year, we have surpassed a staggering $100,000 of fundraising which means so much for a school system that is less than 1000 students but has the most caring and innovative teachers in the world.  This Foundation has so many people who are deeply connected with the schools - former educators and administrators - parents of alumni - and alumni - we just can't help but want to provide our schools with every opportunity.  Each year, we are appropriating about $45,000 in support so you know this event makes a huge difference.

I must thank and acknowledge the support and patience of my family - who always get pulled into the planning, participation, and my worrying about every detail the months before this event occurs.  Our closest friends, the Wymans, have participated, donated, and volunteered for this event since the beginning.  So many very generous donors support this effort year after year, it truly does rekindle my spirit to put this on each year.  And our community - I am so happy to see you again.  Here is wishing that 2022 will allow for more of us to reconnect.

​I hope you enjoy the slideshow of fun pics from the event!
Sincerely
​James Steller


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  • About Us
    • 2022 Annual Report
    • 2021 Annual Report
    • 2020 Annual Report
    • 2019 Annual Report
  • Donate
    • Adopt a Grant
  • Dine / Shop Out 4 Kids
  • Grants
    • 2022 - 2023 Grants
    • 2021 - 2022 Grants >
      • 2021 Incubator
      • 2021 Maxwelton Field Trip
      • 2021 Winn Dixie
      • 2021 Sensory
      • 2021 Sit Upons
      • 2021 Robotics
      • 2021 Harvest of the Month
    • 2020 - 2021 Covid Support
    • 2019 - 2020 Grants >
      • 2019 Camp Moran
      • 2019 PSC
      • 2019 Olympic Peninsula
      • 2019 Annie Jr
      • 2019 Bells Farm
      • 2019 Mefferd Literacy Materials
      • 2019 MOHAI
      • 2019 Mueller Dinosaur
      • 2019 Woodland Park Zoo
    • 2018 - 2019 Grants >
      • 2018 Theater Dressing Room Improvements
      • 2018 Middle School MOHAI Field Trip
      • 2018 Kindergarten Building Center
      • 2018 Seattle Science Center
    • 2017 - 2018 Grants >
      • 2017 MOHAI
      • 2017 2nd Grade Mt Baker Theater
      • 2017 Elementary Seahorse
      • 2017 1st Grade Iditarod
      • 2017 Coop Garden MS/HS
      • 2017 2nd Grade PCS
      • 2017 Compost Club
      • 2017 Sciene Olympiad
      • 2017 Flexible Seating
      • 2016 3rd Grade Zoo Trip
      • 16 - 17 Robotics Team
  • Scholarships
  • For Teachers
  • Testimonials
    • Recap: 2021 Coupeville Run, Ride, and Reunite
    • Meet Christie Sears
    • 2020 Covid Support
    • Meet Greg White
    • Meet Neil Rixe
    • Meet Andy Wyman
    • Meet James Steller
    • Meet George Thawley
    • Meet Arianna Bumgarner
    • Meet Aimee Bishop
    • Meet Kelly Reszka
    • Meet Sandie Belli
    • Meet Marguerite Berg
    • Meet Ana Valencia
    • Press Releases
  • Meet the Board
    • For the Board