The values of healthy living and equal access to Christian education were combined in the very first Harvest Hustle event for Caldwell Adventist Elementary School.
While the desire and need for Christ-centered education in today’s world is rising, its affordability remains a problem for many families. What better way to raise funds for such families than through exercise?
Heather McPherson, CAES vice principal and sixth- through eighth-grade teacher, had a yearning to utilize her passion for running to help students attend CAES. Her efforts and organization, combined with the expertise and professionalism of Megan Lacy from Fleet Feet Treasure Valley, created an event of enthusiasm and energy that naturally turned into earnings for student tuition.
Runners, from both the community and CAES, registered and paid online before the event for either the 1-mile Kids Fun Run or the 5K Walk/Run. They then picked up their packet, including a runner’s bib, on the Friday before the event.
As runners arrived for Harvest Hustle at West Park in Nampa on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, they immediately noticed the Fleet Feet flags and start gate. They were energized by fun music, fellow runners stretching in preparation to run and the digital clock counting down the minutes until the start of the first race.
Just before 10 a.m., children gathered at the start gate for their 1-mile race. After announcements and a quick prayer, the children were off at the blow of an air horn. Many may have started running at a quicker pace than they could keep, but they ran hard and finished smiling. A community child won first place at 9:15.07, followed by two CAES students.
Soon after all the kids crossed the finish line, a bigger group of runners started to gather at the start gate for the 5K race. After announcements and another quick prayer, participants were off once again at the sound of the air horn. Although most ran the race, others walked with just as much enthusiasm.
At 19:02.08, Mason Huffman, a community member, crossed the line in first place, followed shortly by Jakob Evenson, CAES alumnus, in second and Austin Glubay, CAES alumnus, in third. Winners for each race received a ribbon and a Fleet Feet gift card for their incredible feat.
Many participants praised the event afterward. Emily Gatton said, “We had so much fun running in the inaugural Harvest Hustle race. My dad was the only entry for an 82-year-old blind man with a guide dog. Next year, we’ll get Goldman [the dog] his own runner’s bib!”
The event wouldn’t have been possible without a large group of volunteers who manned water stations, provided first aid care, directed runners, ran errands with a four-wheeler, provided runners with snacks, registered late entries and much more.
Lacy was greatly appreciated for her valuable support in sponsoring and advertising this as a Fleet Feet running event. In the end, it earned more than $1,800 for the CAES worthy student fund — an accomplishment for the school’s first Harvest Hustle. The CAES community looks forward to what the future holds for this event again this year.
