WESTFIELD – In preparation for the Run Stanley 5K race through Stanley Park’s Frank Stanley Beveridge Wildlife Sanctuary trails, one local business has thrown down the gauntlet to raise money for a very worthy cause.
R. Levesque Associates, Inc., the School Street landscape architectural, civil engineering, and environmental consulting firm that has been working diligently on the Stanley Park bridge project since it’s groundbreaking, has created a sponsorship challenge for the event.
Rob Levesque, owner of R. Levesque, Inc., has pledged to donate $1 for every “like” their Facebook page receives and are encouraging all area residents to participate.
Last year’s inaugural Run Stanley 5K event attracted over 500 participants and volunteers and raised over $17,000 in funds to replace the “crooked bridge” along the Park’s River Trail, which was washed out by a storm last year.
This year’s race will continue efforts to make additional trail improvements, which a second bridge, signage, trail marking, and path clearing.
“I think it’s such a good, creative, wonderful way to try to raise funds,” said Vanessa Holford-Diana, race director for the Run Stanley 5K. “I like it on a lot of levels. I think it’s funny, simple and easy and I’m personally glad for the opportunity to thank Rob (Levesque).”
“He’s doing all this behind the scenes – the permitting, the planning and proposals for the Conservation Commission – all of that work for this project pro bono,” added Holford-Diana, also an english professor at Westfield State University. “It’s really a big gift he’s giving to our community. I’m really thankful for any sponsorship support, but I’m really grateful that we have an excuse to sing his praises from the rooftops.”
“He’s a humble guy who works tirelessly and does so much input work for Stanley Park, in addition to serving on it’s board,” Holford-Diana said. “It’s quite a gift he’s giving and we’re very appreciative and grateful.”
Anyone interested in donating or participating in this year’s Run Stanley 5K can donate or register online at runstanley.com and log on to facebook.com/rlaland to “like” R. Levesque Associates, Inc.
