Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability invites families and individuals of all ages to “Trick or Trot” during its 12th annual fun run Oct. 5 on campus.
The center’s largest annual fundraiser kicks off at 9:15 a.m. with on-site registration, games and activities, with the fun run starting at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear child-friendly costumes as they run, walk or stroll the 1-mile loop through campus beginning at the center. Cheer stations will be set up along the route to root on participants and provide candy and other goodies.
Registration for the fun run and cheer stations is available at https://www.ecommerce.msstate.edu/tkmartin/funrun. Fun run entry fees are $15 for individuals and $30 for families, which includes registration for up to five immediate family members. Participants also may register at the event at 9:15 a.m.
Groups such as churches, local clubs, sports teams or businesses may organize a cheer station with a minimum of five members and are expected to bring candy, bubbles or other small items to hand out as they cheer on the children. Music and encouraging signs are permitted. While cheer station registration is free, donations are encouraged.
Sponsorship packages for businesses and individuals are available from $100 to $5,000. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact the center at 662-325-1028.
“This time of year is always exciting for our families, as we see the community unite in support of our school and their children,” said Kasee K. Stratton-Gadke, executive director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, which houses the T.K. Martin Center. “The Trick or Trot fundraiser is vital in providing the specialized therapies and assistive technologies our students need to succeed.”
Proceeds from the fun run benefit the center’s Project IMPACT, a special education program. Since 2000, the program has offered a continuum of early intervention services to enrich the lives of young children with various special needs along with their families. Services include three to four classrooms led by early childhood educators, special education teachers and therapists who embed each student’s individual educational goals into daily, developmentally appropriate instructional activities. Speech, occupational and physical therapy also are provided to those who are eligible for such services.
“I am proud of the T.K. Martin Center’s unwavering dedication to empowering individuals of all abilities,” said Teresa Jayroe, dean of MSU’s College of Education. “The Trick or Trot event is a celebration of community spirit and inclusivity, and it plays a crucial role in supporting the life-changing work of the center. Everyone who participates in this fun-filled day makes a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families across our state.”
