GLADSTONE PARK — A 3K run and walk will take place June 14 to honor the life and work of Hitch Elementary School Principal Deborah "Debby" Reese, who died three months ago.
Hitch Local School Council member John Garrido said he decided to organize the fundraiser after recalling a conversation he had with Reese about the need to install interactive whiteboards in all of the Gladstone Park school's classrooms to encourage collaborative learning.
Heather Cherone chats about the race honoring late Hitch Elementary Principal Debby Reese:
Reese "worked tirelessly to bring the community together and always sought ways to increase school funding opportunities and build community relationships," said Garrido, a police lieutenant who is also running for 45th Ward alderman.
The proceeds from the event will be divided equally between Hitch and St. Tarcissus Elementary School "to help all children in the Gladstone Park community," Garrido said.
Reese, 63, who had been principal of the school for 10 years, died Feb. 28 of cancer.
Hitch is the most crowded elementary school in Chicago, with 586 students attending class in a building meant for 420 students.
Ald. John Arena (45th) has praised Reese for working tirelessly to draw attention to overcrowding at the school.
Earlier this month, Chicago Public Schools officials announced the school would get a eight-classroom modular building in September 2015 to relieve overcrowding.
The run will start at 9 a.m. at Hitch, 5625 N. McVicker Ave.
