PARK SLOPE — Schools on Fourth Avenue are using their prime locations on the New York City Marathon route to go the extra mile with fundraising.
P.S. 124 and P.S. 118 will host marathon viewing parties Sunday where the public can make signs, buy food and cheer on runners all while helping the schools bring in cash.
"It started out as some bouncy houses and hot chocolate and it's grown into a large festival," said P.S. 118 co-president Cassandra Kinyon.
The school has been hosting a marathon-watching event for three years and it's now P.S. 118's second biggest fundraiser of the year, Kinyon said. "We really count on these funds and appreciate them," Kinyon said. "They go to amazing programs."
P.S. 118 uses the money to fund enrichment programs including Studio in a School, hip-hop dance and a meet the author series.
P.S. 118, on Fourth Avenue and Eighth Street, will have posterboard on hand to make signs (available for purchase) as well as face painting, a raffle and a used book sale. The school's bathrooms and cafeteria will also be open so spectators can make pit spots or warm up inside.
Down the street at Fourth Avenue and 14th Street, P.S. 124 will host a similar marathon-watching event from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with cowbells, baked goods and sign-making supplies.
Kinyon said witnessing the race is not only inspiring, it also teaches kids a valuable lesson.
“It just goes to enforce what we are trying to teach them, which is that when you put to mind to something, you can accomplish anything you like,” Kinyon said.
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