Theresa Street 5K raises funds for unified sports

On Saturday, May 16, nearly 200 runners and walkers set off from Dartmouth High School to Padanaram in the fifth annual Theresa Street 5K.

Theresa Street raises money for programs focused on mental health, youth mental health and education on the South Coast.

"Looking at some smaller organizations that maybe they don't have the whole infrastructure to raise money, or raising money is a big piece, and if we could raise money for them and donate the money, it would really help them and their organization focus on their mission," said Thersa Street Vice President and 5K Director Jeremy Isaacs.

Started five years ago, the 5K raises funds for unified athletics, with most of the money going toward Dartmouth's program.

While the exact amount raised hasn't been calculated yet, Isaacs said the 5K raised over $10,000.

John Breault, a special education teacher at Dartmouth High School and the unified track coach, said the money is often used to support Dartmouth's Special Olympics, purchase new jerseys for athletes and fund a new crossfit program.

"I think it truly means the world. We wouldn't be able to do what we're doing without a partnership like that," Breault said.

He noted that it's made even more meaningful by the fact that many of the Theresa Street members are Dartmouth alums, who are "coming back to help us out."

Isaacs said it was "awesome" to see people come out and support the 5K and that it was "inspiring to see hundreds of people showing up and supporting the next generation of unified athletics, unified participants, everybody who's involved."

Isaacs said that Theresa Street is always looking for ways to improve the event and expand its reach so that more organizations can be supported, in addition to Dartmouth's unified program.

"Next year we're really looking forward to getting more fundraising and teams involved, getting more people involved," he said.

Besides raising money to support unified programs, Breault said the hope is that the 5K also brings awareness to unified and its programs and "bring light to what we offer."

He noted that Theresa Street's mission is similar.

Isaacs said one goal is to get people running and moving while also highlighting Dartmouth's "natural beauty."

"When you have two like-minded endeavors that are working toward the same aspect of exposure, it's super helpful, and to see people just out enjoying the scenery ... we had a great day," Breault said.

He added, "Just knowing that people were willing to come out, spend the Saturday monring in this area doing that, that makes the world to what we're trying to do here."