The Learning Tree Preschool of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA is promoting the Thanksgiving Day Run by participating in a fundraiser called Fast Feet.

Preschoolers are learning the letters F, I, T, and incorporating family involvement through physical activity. Students are being encouraged to ask family and friends to make a donation for every hour of physical activity that they acquired.

In addition to a financial donation students received a footprint that is added to a trail of footprints on display in the front lobby of the YMCA. Parents and their children can run, bike ride, and play together to obtain activity minutes. All of these activity hours lead up to participation of the Niles-Buchanan Thanksgiving Day Run.

“We developed the Fast Feet Fundraiser to encourage family involvement, physical activity, and philanthropy. It was about giving to an activity that involves substance and not material things. We support our student’s physical and mental development through positive praise,” said preschool directors Kim Snouwaert and Kirsten Henry.

The YMCA is reminding people to sign up for the 33rd Annual Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day Run. This year the Thanksgiving Day Run will offer a 10K and 5K run or walk and a 1 mile Family Fun Run. With over 2,300 participants from over 24 states; the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thanksgiving Day run is among the largest in the Michiana area.

All proceeds from this event support the Strong Kids Campaign. The Main Street Bridge will be under construction the day of the race. A new race route has been developed with the help and guidance of the Niles Police Department and Street Department. The new race routes are listed on the YMCA’s website at www.nbymca.com.