Audrey Carr, Reporter
@audreyccourant
Due to the pandemic, the annual 5k Color Run was replaced by the Color Drop, which involved the purchasing of a golf ball that dropped from a helicopter over Waveny Park. The golf ball that landed closest to the target received a prize, with first place being a peloton tread.
Steffi Loomis, member of the board for the New Canaan High School Scholarship Foundation, has been organizing the Color Run for the past four years. ¨A friend of mine won a helicopter golf ball drop that he was involved with in Utah, which inspired me to propose this idea,¨ she said. ¨The Color Run is such a great community event because It hits every demographic.¨
Ms. Loomis felt that the Color Drop would be a great community event that adhered to CDC guidelines. ¨I feel like there has been so little excitement everywhere this year because of COVID-19,¨ she said. ¨The Color Drop has caused a great buzz in town and many people are talking about it.¨
Since the Color Drop, similar to the Color Run, is geared to include everyone, people of ages got involved. ¨One of our great residents, John Kjekstad, owns the helicopter company and has donated his services which is incredible,¨ she said.
With such a supportive community, the board is saw an abundance of donations, as anyone could attend the event virtually. Community members were able to support the foundation by buying a golf ball, which made it easy to get involved. You can just support the scholarship foundation by buying a golf ball, so it has been an easier fundraiser to pull off.
There are about 29 scholarships awarded each year, including some based on financial need and others, such as name scholarships. A name scholarship allows people to pinpoint who they want and what type of student they are looking for. Students must submit an application to be considered. “There are a lot more kids who need scholarships then people think,” Ms. Loomis said.
Despite the big change in tradition, the New Canaan community is still on board. ¨This is not something that has ever been done in New Canaan, so people have been very supportive and are excited to watch the live stream,” Ms. Loomis said. “It’s incredible how many people have purchased golf balls.”
