The third annual Pascal’s Way 5K Run/Walk, a month-long fundraiser that sought to raise money for local schools and to honor the memory of Pascal Weisberger, concluded on May 31. More than $4,300 was raised for two schools the young boy attended.
Weisberger, a local teen known for his exceptional kindness, empathy and curiosity, passed away in May 2020, leaving behind a lasting legacy of charity and goodwill. It’s something his 5K, which began with an in-person run and walk on May 6 and continued virtually through the end of the month, carried on.
The event began in the morning of May 6 as dozens of runners and friends of Weisberger gathered at Treasure Village Montessori School. They competed with one another while remembering a beloved student, friend and activist. They also raised money for Treasure Village and Ocean Studies Charter School, both of which Pascal had attended.
The yearly event, which began in 2020 and was organized by Ariel Poholek, Pascal’s father, and Barry Wray, his running coach, has grown exponentially since its inception. This year, the run and walk brought more donations and volunteer engagement than ever before, raising thousands of dollars to send to various projects and goals at the two schools.
As a student, Weisberger sought to improve his school environment and had been very involved in any extracurriculars or opportunities that his schools had to offer. As a student at Ocean Studies elementary school, Weisberger and Poholek inspired his classmates to join them on monthly beach cleanups at Harry Harris park.
“He was concerned about environmental issues and pollution, and encouraged his classmates to feel the same way and to help (with cleanups) for a number of years,” said Poholek. Later, at Treasure Village, he similarly sought to be involved, and played a major role in the school’s volunteer work and advocacy for Florida Bay Forever, a South Florida organization hoping to raise awareness on the threats facing the Florida Bay environment.
By raising money for causes that Pascal had supported, Pascal’s Way 5K remembers his commitment to his community.
“I think Pascal would be very touched by people wanting to remember him and doing activities and events to honor his memory,” said Poholek, when speaking about community involvement in Pascal’s 5K. “He would definitely be grateful for everyone’s support and would be very appreciative of it.”
Pascal’s Way 5K began as a community get-together that would reflect Weisberger’s deep love for running that he had from a young age. He joined Treasure Village’s running club when he was about 6 or 7 years old, and his running coach Barry Wray remembers him as a dedicated athlete and an amazing person.
“I used to run with him a lot on an individual basis as he got older,” said Wray. “We would meet at Founders Park and we would talk the entire run. I would tease him a little, as I would any kid. He was so pure, so simple, so determined and self-inspired, with humble goals to just do his best. A lesson in happiness.”
After the event on May 6, the run and walk continued virtually, with virtual participants taking their 5Ks on different days throughout the month. More than half of the runners and participants chose the virtual option, people of all ages seeking to honor the life of a beloved friend gone too soon.
