Bringing gifts to those less fortunate

The chilly December weather in Connecticut would discourage most people from organizing a 5K run‚but not Marty Schaivone. Not only has Schaivone organized the Holiday Run for Toys for the past ten years, but he has found a way to get hundreds of people to join him.

Schaivone started organizing races in the early ‚90s. Growing up in Fairfield, he was an avid runner who especially enjoyed participating in local races. In 1991, he tried his hand at organizing a race, the Great Pumpkin Race, at Trumbull High School, and he has never looked back.

Today, the Holiday Run for Toys attracts anywhere from 250 to 350 people, with participants ranging in age from eight-year-old children to 89-year-old runner Doc Whitney. (Dr. George Whitney of Orange plans to run again this year, and will turn 90 just after the race.) Some participants are hardcore runners, and others are just looking to challenge themselves and to do something good for the community. The one common denominator? Everyone brings a toy for the Fairfield Police Department‚s annual toy drive. Runners are asked to donate an unwrapped toy to the race, and the Fairfield Police Department delivers them just in time for the holidays.

Runners await the start of the Race

The atmosphere on race day is decidedly festive. Many runners don Santa hats, and an after-run feast features all the traditional holiday foods, from fruitcake to eggnog. And yes, it is true‚some years a brave runner will participate in a full Santa Claus suit.

Thanks to Marty Schaivone, the Fairfield Police Department, and a host of local businesses and volunteers, good will and cheer will be spread to many underprivileged and hospitalized children in our community again this December. What a joyous tradition!

This year‚s Holiday Run for Toys is being held on Sunday, December 7 at the Scandinavian Club on South Pine Creek Road. The entrance fee is $5 in advance, $8 on race day, and runners are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for a child or teen. Visit hitekracing.com/msrunning for more information.