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GREENWICH, Conn. As a social studies teacher at Central Middle School in Greenwich, Katherine Zapsky has found a supportive environment. Many of the schools teachers will be supporting her cause Saturday in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Pineapple Classic 5k with Obstacles at the Greenwich Polo Club.
In Saturdays event, 23 adults and nine toddlers with ties to Central will assist Zapskys efforts to raise funds for the Connecticut chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Zapskys husband, David, has been fighting Hodgkins lymphoma for six years. Jen Bresler, an eighth grade teacher at Central, helped coordinate the team from the school.
Central has been unbelievable, said Zapsky, who lives in Bedford Hills, N.Y. People have gone above and beyond what co-workers normally do. When he was very ill, people came up and helped us with everything. Central really is a family school.
The Pineapple Classic, in its second year, is a Hawaiian-themed run with obstacles. It features a luau afterward with a beer garden and entertainment. The race is divided into four divisions, with different start times for faster runners, walkers and families.
Zapsky walked the 5k last year. She will do so again on Saturday, this time with David. The obstacle course is great, she said. It was just fun. It wasnt a sense that youre out there to win it. There are so many different people out there running in memory of somebody. And you cant beat having a luau at the end of it.
David Zapsky is touched by the generosity of the Central staff. Its nice to see these people to come back to support the cause, he said. Im glad to be the person they can rally around to be part of this event. Its not something that youre accustomed to, but its something Ive kind of gotten used to. Im happy to be the spokesperson for the group.
The Zapskys will attend the race with their 3-year-old twins. Its very emotional on a lot of levels, Katherine said. Last year the shirts we wore had David's picture on them. This year his picture for the end of the 5K is him holding the twins.
If I was in better shape, Id attempt running, David said. Maybe thats a goal for next year.
The races begin at 9 a.m. More information is available at the race website.
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