The Read. Run. Reach. Campaign, spearheaded by Community Health Network, is entering its final weeks, as the countdown to the CHN Helping Hands for Cancer 5k Run/Walk begins.

The Berlin Area School District and Community Health Network began the collaborative Read. Run. Reach. campaign in February with the goal of increasing awareness of the importance of literacy, physical activity, and being kind and thoughtful in actions.

 CHN Wellness Coordinator Pam Alf visited all the schools in the Berlin District and challenged students to read 12 books, run (or participate in an equivalent fitness activity) a total of 12 miles and do 12 random acts of kindness.

The Read. Run. Reach. program culminates on May 18, 2013 when students and their families and the entire Berlin community will be invited to participate in the CHN “Helping Hands for Cancer” 5k Run/Walk. This event raises money for the CHN Foundation “Helping Hands for Cancer” fund and will be used to provide money for local people who are battling cancer and need financial assistance. Details and registration for the 5K Run/Walk can be found at www.chn5k.org.

If you have any questions about the Read. Run. Reach. program, please feel free to contact CHN Wellness Coordinator, Pam Alf at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 361-5846.

Photo Caption: Read. Run. Reach Program participant Rhiannon Elendt (right) has completed all the required facets of the program. The sixth grader has read 12 books, exercised for 12 hours and committed 12 random acts of kindness. Here she is pictured with her favorite book and Berlin Middle School media specialist Todd Schumacher (left).