By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

The St. Charles Borromeo School community had a lot to rock ‘n’ roll about on Labor Day.

Bright and early the morning of Sept. 1, the sprawling Cinnaminson campus was bustling on this popular end-of-the summer federal holiday with parishioners and folks from surrounding communities and beyond joining in the fifth annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Run Back to School.

Since 2010, the school PTA board has sponsored the Rock ‘n’ Roll Run, which is a festive morning event complete with athletic races and entertainment that included a DJ and activities for kids, and primarily serves as a fundraiser for the school. This year, however, the event also marked the start of a series of activities that are planned in celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary.

“The 50th anniversary is significant to me because this has been my family’s for over 30 years,” said Kathy Karsch, who currently serves on the school board, heads the school’s golden jubilee team and is a former Catholic school educator.

Proudly noting that her sons attended St. Charles Borromeo School in the 1980s and she was active as a parent volunteer and substitute teacher, Karsch said, “A school’s 50th anniversary is cause for celebration!”

“I love to volunteer for this every year,” said Andrea Vogelman, parent of fourth grader Rylee Vogelman. “This is a fun event for the whole family and is a great way to start off the school year.”

Peter Miller echoed Vogelman’s sentiments then elaborated on why it’s important to provide his two older children, Matthew, third grade, and Molly, first grade, with a Catholic education.

“Here is where they learn about their religion and that’s important,” he said. “My wife and I want our children to know their faith.”

In addition to Run Back to School, Karsh said other anniversary events include an opening Mass and reception at 11 a.m. Oct. 5; a golf outing Oct. 20 at Laurel Creek and a closing event May 16, followed by a beef-and-beer social. Karsch said the Oct. 5 Mass will include a ceremony at which time it is expected that proclamations will be read from Burlington County Freeholder, Joseph Donnelly, who graduated from St. Charles Borromeo School in 1981, and Cinnaminson Township Mayor Anthony Minniti, who graduated in 1984. Invitations have also been extended to former pastors and priests who have served in the parish, principals, faculty, staff, school and PTA board members.

Angie Wojnar, who has coordinated the Rock ‘n’ Roll Run with her husband, Rich, said the event has grown in popularity in the past five years and nuances to the day’s format have been made to help generate more interest and participation. The various races include the 5K run for both recreational and serious runners, the One-Mile Fun Run/Walk and the “Tots Dash,” which is a “run race for the little ones where all are winners.” There were about 280 people who joined in the 5K; 120 in the one-mile, and 30 in the Tots Dash. This year also included the offering of a free summer training program for new runners who wanted to run their first 5K.

“We’ve had great success and more than doubled our race registrants from 150 in 2010 to 430 in 2014,” she said.

In addition, Wojnar said that the amount of money raised has also increased with each year, noting this year’s event amassed about $7,000.

To learn more about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Run Back to School event, visit http://RunBackToSchool.com which includes a link to the results of the 5K and 1-mile races.