This article originally appeared in the Framingham Patch on Oct. 9.FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Wayside Youth and Family Support Network’s largest annual fundraiser was largely a success. The 5K4Kids run-walk last weekend raised over $100,000 — although the nonprofit is still collecting donations to hit its $115,000 goal.

Here’s more from a Wayside Youth and Family Support Network press release:

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network announced today that it raised more than $100,000 from the 10th Annual 5K4Kids Run/Walk and Halloween Festival held on October 5. The event was kicked off by Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer and was the most successful in the nonprofit’s history with more than 200 registered runners and countless participants.

“Our staff is tremendous and really goes all out for this event every year,” said Eric L. Masi, Ed.D, President & CEO of Wayside. “They plan rallies, collect prizes from local businesses, drum up excitement by selling raffle tickets and form fundraising teams to support individual programs. This event is our largest annual fundraiser and the proceeds allow our staff to do special things for our kids that otherwise would not be possible.”

Wayside staff, board members and the community worked together to reach this year’s ambitious $115,000 fundraising goal and will continue to collect donations to reach, and hopefully exceed, its goal. We want to thank our lead sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as well as many others who contributed to the success of this year’s event including local community agencies such as Advocates, The Edinburg Center, LUK, Inc., Open Sky Community Services, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., The Key Program, and You, Inc.

To date, the 5K4Kids has raised more than $750,000 for the thousands of children and families served each year by the human services agency. All proceeds from the 5K4Kids go directly back to Wayside’s 19 programs that help children and families across the state. Wayside staff use funds to purchase the “extras” many of our kids would otherwise go without such as toiletries, new clothing and school supplies as well as pay for fun events like field trips and trivia nights. Read our 5K staff testimonials on our website.