Community rallies to support local family

A 5K will be held on Saturday, March 28 in honor of Cole Rapini, a 7-year-old Elm Hill School student who passed away last month.
http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/community-rallies-to-support-local-family/1320274

Community rallies to support local family Nearly 300 expected to participate in 5K fundraiser By Katlyn Proctor | Mar 21, 2015 Photo by: COURTESY A 5K will be held on Saturday, March 28 in honor of Cole Rapini, a local 7-year-old who passed away from vanishing white matter disease. CHARLESTOWN — The community at-large is still mourning the loss of a vibrant 7-year-old who succumbed to a rare illness, but is rallying through the pain to help raise funds for the family. The Run for Cole 5K will help support the Rapini family, whose son Cole succumbed to vanishing white matter disease — and help his memory live on in the community. "There's been a huge response because he touched so many hearts," said Alicia Flaig, owner of Main Street Nutrition and Unique Inspirations by Alicia. Flaig is the organizer behind the 5K fundraising event and a friend with Cole's mother, Hanna. "The community has come together so much." The event, which is slated to take place on Saturday, March 28, hopes to bring the community together to honor Cole — and raise funds for a scholarship fund in his name, as well as assist the family with incurred medical debt. "We are welcoming any family members and children of all ages," Flaig said. "There will also be a walking route." Pets are encouraged to stay at home for the day. Registration for the timed 5K takes place at 9 a.m. at Main Street Nutrition (which shares a parking lot with the Sumner House) and costs $15 per participant. A T-shirt may be purchased for an additional $12. Only cash will be accepted. The race is underway at 10:30 a.m., and will be followed by a buffet held at the Sumner House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost of the buffet is $15 plus tax; however, 50 percent of the proceeds from the buffet will be donated back to the family. Live music will be provided by S+K DJ Services and a kids' table will be available for the little ones. Participants will also be able to purchase protein shakes at Main Street Nutrition following the 5K at a discounted rate. Raffles items will available and the drawing will occur at 1 p.m., although participants must be present to win. The Massachusetts Marauders will be on scene for a chance to snap a photo or snag an autograph. Cole had previously visited with the Marauders to help fulfill items on his bucket list. A handful of area businesses have helped launch the event including the following: Unique Inspirations by Alicia; Main Street Nutrition; The Ink Factory; Matrix Aerospace; Alrich Cabinetry; Blanc and Bailey Construction Inc.; Salmon & Nostrand; Twisted Fitness; S+K DJ Services; and Vitri Forms, Inc. "So many local businesses have donated raffle items and gift cards," Flaig said. Vanishing white brain matter disease has affected only a small percentage of people in the U.S., and left doctors baffled for years as to what was ailing Cole. The disease causes severe developmental delays despite a child being born seemingly healthy. It wasn't until an MRI was completed that doctors were finally able to diagnose Cole. He died three weeks later on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. He was a student at Elm Hill School in Springfield, Vermont, and loved playing with his classmates. For more information on the 5K, call Main Street Nutrition at (603) 826-0229.