Mt. Madonna’s Summit for the Planet raises $30K

By Staff Report

About 350 attendees of all ages showed up to walk the redwood-lined forest trails at the 8th annual Summit for the Planet Walk-a-thon and Celebration April 26. This fun “green” community event is hosted each year by Mount Madonna School, and despite cool morning weather, sunshine and smiles prevailed, with enthusiastic walkers (and runners) gathering around the starting line awaiting the signal to head out on a 5 or 10K loop.

“About 20 minutes before the walk-a-thon started some of us seniors led warm-up stretching on the field for all the participants,” said senior Jenny Turk of Morgan Hill. “I did the walk with a group of my friends. I noticed how lovely the forest looked in the morning light. A musically-talented girl even brought her ukulele on the walk and played beautiful music for everyone.”

After the walk the celebration featured eco-carnival games for kids, pony rides, singing and live music, and exhibits by local nonprofit organizations, including the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center of Morgan Hill and the Bay Area Amphibian and Reptiles Society of Gilroy; along with a solar car race (with cars designed by middle school student teams), a bungee jump science experiment and a ‘Trash Fashion’ show of outfits designed, created and modeled by kids and teenagers.

MMS’ goal of bringing together the community for a healthy “fun-raiser” was successful, with more than $30,000 raised.