A friend once shared that he would rather run a 50k than a 5k because “in a 5k you actually have to run fast”. If that is the case, the shorter the race is, the faster you have to run; he would REALLY dislike the Rocket City Microthon coming up on October 17th at Campus 805 in Huntsville.
What is a Microthon? Good question.
The Microthon is an annual “race” that spans the vast 0.12k Butler Green connecting Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer at Campus 805. For those that don’t feel like doing the math, that is about 400 feet.
If it’s that short, what is the point? Even better question.
The Rocket City Microthon is hosted by Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center in Huntsville. Merrimack Hall is a local non-profit whose stated mission is “to provide visual and performing arts education and cultural activities to children and adults with special needs.” It is, however, so much more than just arts education. Through this arts education, they provide inclusion and community to those who are often misunderstood and marginalized.
There are several different ways that Merrimack Hall fosters this community, but two of the main ones are its adult day program, called “Happy Days,” and its after-school arts program, called “Happy Hearts.” These two programs fill the gaps in traditional support for individuals with special needs through arts education. If you or a loved one has a disability and are school-aged, you have programs and support. But what about after school? What about when you graduate? By giving individuals with disabilities a place to go and a purpose for their work, Merrimack Hall fosters a sense of community and family that wouldn’t exist outside of those walls. Participants in Merrimack’s arts programs love the arts and what they create, but more than anything, they love the people surrounding them. They love their classmates and teachers (of which advisor Stephen Gunter feels fortunate to be). Merrimack is their family away from their family, and they love getting to spend quality time with each other.
Because of what Merrimack has done and continues to do for the special needs community, Bridgeworth is proud to be a returning sponsor of the Rocket City Microthon. We are fortunate to annually join alongside Merrimack and support this fantastic event so that they can continue providing the community the support that is so badly needed by those with disabilities.
If you’d like to learn more about the Microthon, click HERE.
If you’d like to learn more about Merrimack Hall, click HERE.