��ֱ��’s T.K. Martin Center to host ‘Trick or Trot’ fun run

Two children, viewed from behind, look over a touch-screen computer. — Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is holding its eighth annual fun run on Nov. 1. The event is the largest annual fundraiser for the center, which operates Project IMPACT, an early-intervention preschool program for children with special needs. (Photo by Russ Houston)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is holding its eighth annual fun run on Nov. 1, inviting the campus community and others from the surrounding area to “Trick or Trot.”

The center’s largest annual fundraiser, the one-mile course features cheer stations where candy and stickers will be handed out while runners are cheered and motivated to cross the finish line. Open to all ages, participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

“We want to offer our families a way to participate in a fun run centered around them, so we always say ‘you can walk it, you can run it, you can put your kid on the tricycle if that's how they want to do it. You can take an hour if you need to do it,’” said Christan Toney, lead teacher at the center.

Beginning at the T.K. Martin Center, the run follows a one-mile loop through campus. Participants can register at 5 p.m. before the run’s 6 p.m. start time, register ahead by calling the center at 662-325-1028, or . Entry fees are $25 for individuals, and $40 for groups of two or more. Event proceeds benefit the T.K. Martin Center’s Project IMPACT early-intervention preschool program for children with special needs.

“Our goal is to raise $30,000 this year. This helps to fund our teacher assistants for our Project IMPACT program, among other needs. If we can raise this amount it would be a huge triumph,” said T.K. Martin Center Director Kasee Stratton-Gadke.

Since 2000, the Project IMPACT preschool program has offered a continuum of early intervention services free of charge to enrich the lives of young children with various special needs and their families. Center-based services are available up to four days per week, approximately two hours per day. These services include classes led by early childhood special education teachers and therapists. In this setting, students are encouraged to progress in five areas of development— cognition, language, motor, adaptive and social-emotional. In addition to academic instruction, speech, occupational and physical therapy also are provided to eligible children 3 years of age and older.

Cadence Bank is an event sponsor and other sponsorship opportunities are still available. Businesses can become a sponsor by calling 662-325-1028 or by visiting the ��ֱ�� center at 326 Hardy Road.

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