For some it was an opportunity to give back to the community. For others it was the chance to get involved while getting some good exercise. And for the Padasak family, whose daughter the event was named after, it was an emotional experience.

The second annual Preschool Learning Center fundraiser, now named the Christine Padasak Memorial Autism Awareness 5K and Fun Walk, attracted runners and walkers from all over Western New York and raised nearly $20,000 to profit the PLC’s autism program. The late Christine Padasak, for whom the walk/run was named, and who was heavily involved in volunteering at the PLC, passed away earlier this year after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. “We thought it would be great to honor Christine,” said Gerry Guild, coordinator of the PLC’s autism program. “She had aspired to be a teacher and she volunteered in last year’s race. She was just a wonderful person.”

The event, held Aug. 20, took elements from last year’s walk and run (Aug. 21, 2010), the first of what the planning committee said is hoped and planned to be an annual occasion. The planning committee added other facets to continue to improve the local fundraiser, which Carol Padasak said is unprecedented in this area. “We don’t have walks like this anywhere else in Springville,” she said. “And we needed something like this.” Although last year’s 5K/Fun Walk, spearheaded by Eagle Scout Jason Forshee, had a different title, Guild said the event will be named for Christine Padasak from here on out.

Carol Padasak said that it was “quite a surprise” to find out that the event would be named for her daughter. “We were very honored, to say the least,” she said. “She strongly believed in the school and the work that they did. She had a real attachment to this place, that’s for sure.”

The Springville Kiwanis sponsored the fundraiser again this year, and members Dave Guadagna and Michael Pendl, whose son Charlie attended the PLC for a few years, said the Kiwanis thought the fundraiser was the perfect thing to get involved in. “The Kiwanis does things for children,” Guadagna said. “We look for things to sponsor and we thought this was just great.”

Other corporate sponsors were also solicited for the event and helped provide the money for up-front expenses, allowing all money received from the walk and run to go directly to the PLC. According to Race Director Joe Wolniewicz, this year’s event raised almost $7,000 more for the local school than last year’s event did.

Participants paid an entry fee, which allowed them to get into the running for many available prizes and medals. They could participate individually, join or create a team. The 5K race took runners down North Street to Concord Community Park in a big loop back around to the PLC. The walk traveled down Newman Street and included turnarounds at the 1-mile, 1 1/2- and 2-mile points, with activities at the various stops for families with children. At least 60 kids participated in the event. “All over Western New York people came,” said Guild. “A lot came from the Southtowns, but we had people from Buffalo and all over, too.”

Wolniewicz added that the event was very well received by Springville businesses and individuals, saying, “One thing that made it very successful was the corporate sponsorships,” which included West Valley Environmental Services, Emerling Ford, the Buffalo Sabres, Kissing Bridge and more. There were different sponsorship levels, including bronze, silver and gold. Awards were given out to the top overall male and female participants and the first, second and third runners in 13 different age categories.

A pancake breakfast, which was included in runners’ registration fees, was also offered and opened up to the community for a charge. Following the event, awards were given to the winners. The overall winner was PLC employee Craig Lutz, with a time of 17 minutes 47 seconds.

Other runners placing in the race included: women zero - 14: McKenzie Maloy, Jena Schelble and Sara Marren; women 15 - 19: Jessica Wojtkowiak, Chloe Greeley and Kelly Vincent; women 20 - 24: Sarah Dzara, Magen Maloy and Sarah Moody; women 25 - 29: Lauren Carnahan, Rachel Moody and Apryl Poch; women 30 - 34: Darlene Noecker, Anne Ferraro and Malinda Hebeler; women 35 - 39: Anne Vanuga, Beth Czajkowski and Annmarie Buchanan; women 40 - 44: Jodi Obrochta, Heather Sopko and Diane Waterman; women 45 - 49: Amy Dickinson, Darlene Schweikert and Carol Padasak; other women categories: Julie Francisco, Madonna Beale, Linda Beale, Kathleen Walter and Patricia Kunselman.

Men zero - 14: Devin Pazzoti, Mark Doud and Harley Maldy; men 15 - 19: Hunter Lienhart, Shaw Braughman and Peter Vincent; men 20 - 24: Lutz, Jason Kucharski and James Jurkowski; men 24 - 29: Matthew Manzone, Jeremy Moody and Sean Ode; men 30 - 34: Adam Fisher, Matthew Haslinger and Tim Ferraro; men 35 - 39: Sal Aquila, John Mrozik and Kevin Reed; men 40 - 44: Joseph McGuire, Mike Woltz and Brian Benstead; men 45 - 49: Vincent Grant, James Steever and Daryl Smith; men 50 - 54: Pete Walter, Bruce Willard and Chuck Schweikert; men 55 - 59: Greg Hoth, Harry Peratesta and Mike Walter; other men categories: Gary Ehinger, William Haslinger, Bill Harden and Gerhardt Beiter.

After the race, the Padasak family was presented with a painting done by PLC students. “It’s just beautiful,” Carol said. “It looks wonderful hanging in our living room.” The family had created a team, “Beaner’s Bunch,” which was Christine Padasak’s nickname, and ran together.

The Pendl family raced and walked with the Charlie’s Dream and Together Has Power teams; the latter was ranked fourth overall. “Charlie had a blast,” Pendl said, of his son, who has autism. “My wife [Connie] pushed him in a trailer, but at the end he got out and ran with her.” This was Connie’s second race and Charlie’s first.

“We had lots of teams and many of them had children on the autism spectrum,” said Guild. “It was a nice opportunity to bring their children to a place with other similar families and meet people in the same shoes. It was a rallying point for support. The teams generated incredible revenue.”

The committee is already planning next year’s event, the date of which has not yet been set.

The Preschool Learning Center educates more than 100 children with a broad range of disabilities and provides instruction both at home and in the school environment. “We provide services that are not available in the school district,” said Guild. “The earlier we can get the children in and working hard, the greater gain we can make.”

The PLC serves children from 35 school districts all over the area. “There is no way local districts could provide what we do,” said Guild. “The more solid we can make these children’s educational foundation, the better. We have a highly specialized program based upon the principle of applied behavior analysis.” Approximately 115 individuals are employed at the PLC.

Guild said that the proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward curricular materials, reinforcement items, technology and the further education of staff. “The walk grew into something with a significant impact,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know about the gem that is right here in Springville. We are trying to spread the wealth.”

For more information, visit www.plc5k.kintera.org. The PLC is located at 393 North St. in Springville.

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