"The Itsy Bitsy Spider Run"

We have sponsored a run since 2000 called the "Itsy Bitsy Spider Run".  It is dedicated to one of our founding members, Laura Steckler.  Laura was a Special Education Teacher who died tragically on June 1, 2000 while on a class trip. 

The story behind the "Itsy Bitsy Spider Run" goes as follows.  During the funeral services for Laura, her brother Robert stopped the services and told everyone this short story:  During a recent funeral service for a relative of theirs, Robert’s 3 year-old son was getting restless.  Laura took him to an empty room and sat on the floor with him and started teaching him the nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider."  Robert said his son was calm and smiling while sitting there with his Aunt Laura.  Laura had a way about her with children and she could calm down the most upset child.  At this point, Robert told everyone he was upset and he needed to be calmed down.  He asked everyone to sing the nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider." There were over 300 people singing the nursery rhyme in tears, which now is the name of our run, "The Itsy Bitsy Spider Run". 

In our lives we meet a lot of people.  If you are very lucky, you meet a person like Laura who touches not only your heart but also your soul and leaves footprints for you to hold onto forever.  Her love for Richie, her students and LIFE will touch us always.