PARSIPPANY — Littleton Elementary School hosted its first-ever Thanksgiving Fun Run, filled with fitness, games, and camaraderie, bringing the entire school community together. Organized by the fifth-grade committee, comprised of ten fifth-grade parent representatives, the event provided an opportunity for students, parents, and staff to celebrate the holiday season while raising funds for fifth-grade activities.
The concept for the Fun Run came from the fifth graders, who envisioned a school-wide event inspired by the popular “Turkey Trot.” Students of all grades ran laps around the school field, cheered on by teachers and families. Every lap completed brought participants closer to earning prizes, with fifth graders going a step further by securing pledges and donations from their families and friends. The day’s proceeds will help fund upcoming class projects and events, making it as impactful as it was entertaining.
“It was so much more than a fundraiser,” said Nicole Komissar, Vice President of the Littleton Elementary Parent Teacher Association. “This event was a way for our students to feel proud of what they could accomplish, it brought them together in such a meaningful way.”
In addition to the laps, attendees enjoyed a variety of family-friendly activities, including a DJ, pumpkin tick-tack-toe, corn hole, and a Plinko game. High school art students from Parsippany Hills High School volunteered their time to paint faces for younger attendees, adding color and creativity to the festive atmosphere. “Michele Ward, a fifth-grade committee member, really took the lead on spearheading the Fun Run. She brought the vision to life,” said Komissar. Parents and siblings also joined in, creating a vibrant scene where everyone felt included.
The biggest highlight of the day was the dunk tank, which gave fifth graders a special challenge. Any student who completed 15 laps earned the chance to dunk their teacher or principal into a tank of ice-cold water. It quickly became the centerpiece of the event, drawing laughter and cheers as students lined up for their turn. By the end of the day, every fifth grader had met the 15-lap challenge, with the dunk tank serving as both a reward and a source of great fun.
The event brought the community together, with teachers and parents volunteering to count laps and oversee games, while high schoolers brought their creativity to life with face painting. Families cheered from the sidelines, ensuring that every student felt encouraged and supported. As the day wound down, students left with smiles on their faces, stories to share, and a sense of accomplishment. The Littleton community hopes the Thanksgiving Fun Run becomes an annual event, it has already cemented its place as a special day in the hearts of everyone at Littleton Elementary.
From the youngest participants to the fifth graders who took the lead, it was a day that showcased the best of the school’s community spirit and teamwork.
Reprinted from Parsippany Focus magazine, December 2024. Click here to view the magazine.
